Brown Leaf Edges on Banana Plants
Brown, crispy edges on banana leaves are usually caused by environmental stress rather than disease. The large leaf surface area of banana plants makes them particularly sensitive to humidity, wind, and water issues that show up first at the leaf margins.
Common Causes
Low Humidity
This is the most frequent cause, especially for indoor plants. Bananas are tropical plants adapted to 60-90% humidity. In dry indoor air (often 20-40% in winter), the leaf edges dry out. Increase humidity with a humidifier, pebble trays, or grouping plants together.
Underwatering
Inconsistent or insufficient watering causes brown edges, especially during hot weather when transpiration is highest. See Watering Guide.
Fertilizer Burn
Excess fertilizer salts damage root tips, which shows as brown leaf margins. This is common in container plants where salts accumulate. Flush the pot with a large volume of plain water to leach out excess salts. See Fertilizing Guide for proper dosing.
Wind Damage
Persistent wind desiccates leaf edges. See Wind Damage.
Cold Exposure
Brief cold snaps can brown leaf edges without killing the entire leaf. See Overwintering.