• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Home Garden Joy
  • Home
  • How to Garden
    • Seed Starting
    • Plant Profiles
    • Tools & Equipment
    • Raised Bed Gardening
  • Vegetables
  • Fruit
  • Herbs
  • Preserve the Harvest
  • About
    • Books & Classes
      • Herbalism Classes
      • Indoor Herb Gardening
      • Books for Christian Herbalists
      • Privacy Policy

What Are Brown Spots on Succulents?

February 25, 2019 by Jeanne

My brother emailed me these pictures and asked, “What are brown spots on succulents? Why does my succulent have brown spots? How do I get rid of them?”

We both love our house plants, so I dug into his question and found the answer. It seems to be a common problem among succulents.

Brown Spots on Succulent Plants

My brother Steve planted this lovely succulent garden:

brown spots on succulents

But he asked a great question: Why are the leaves of this succulent turning brown?

He sent me close-ups to show me what he meant:

brown spots on succulents
Closeup of the brown spots.

Possible Causes of Brown Spots on Succulent Plants

Typically, brown spots on succulents occur for one of three reasons:

  1. Overwatering
  2. Fungal diseases
  3. Minerals in the water system

Looking at my brother’s little succulent garden, my best guess without seeing the plant in person is that he’s just over watering them slightly. The corky brown spot, which may feel mushy or softer to the touch than the surrounding leaves, provides confirmation that too much water caused the brown spots. African violets, which I raise, are also prone to problems from overwatering.

Minerals in the Water

Minerals in the water system also cause leaf discoloration, but the garden center where I worked in the 1990s isn’t far from where my brother lives now, and the water system is fine. The water treatment includes chlorine and fluoride, but the water tends to be free from minerals that leave such deposits. You can collect and use rainwater for house plants in areas with high-mineral-content water.

Fungal Disease

Fungal disease also remains a possibility, and without seeing the succulent plant in person, it’s also hard not to rule that out. But, usually, in fungal diseases, I’ll see multiple plants in a terrarium or pretty little planter like this one affected similarly. He confirmed the brown spots only affect one plant. My guess (and diagnosis): he’s watering the dish garden near that spot, and the plant absorbs just a bit more water than its companions. Excess water damages the vascular tissue in the leaves, leading to brown spots.

Succulent Plant Care

The popularity of succulent plants soared over the past several years, and with good reason. They’re prettier (in my opinion) than cacti but require similar growing conditions. Better still: no thorns or spines!

Succulent dish gardens such as the one my brother shared provide beautiful focal points in the home. They need full sunlight and soil that drains well. Always allow succulent plants to dry out completely between watering.

These little plants provide great house plants for people who aren’t home a lot or who forget to water. Unfortunately, American Veterinarian does say they can be toxic to pets, so if your cat or dog nibbles on house plants, keep the plants away from the pets or avoid them altogether.

Propagating Succulents

Filed Under: House Plants

Previous Post: « Heirloom Beans, Going Nutritarian, and Some Observations
Next Post: Japanese Beetle Grubs: Identify and Control »

Primary Sidebar

Let’s Connect!

  • Amazon
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Explore All Gardening Articles

kale growing in a raised bed

Replenishing Raised Bed Garden Soil

raised bed garden

How to Build a Vegetable Garden Using Raised Beds

a watering can next to a seed tray on a sidewalk

What Veggies Can I Plant Now?

a closeup of beet greens

Winter Raised Bed Gardens

Herbalism Classes & Supplies

Goods Shop by Herbal Academy – botanically inspired products

As Seen in Porch

 As Seen in Porch

We were featured in Porch.com and answered reader's questions about indoor plants.

Disclosure

Home Garden Joyo participates in two affiliate programs: Amazon and The Herbal Academy. Home Garden Joy earns a commission from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate. As an Herbal Academy Associate, HGJ also earns a commission when you sign up for classes or purchase herbs or supplies from The Herbal Academy.

Footer

kale growing in a raised bed

Replenishing Raised Bed Garden Soil

Raised bed vegetable garden soil soil needs to be replenished periodically. If you’ve done your job right and selected great soil, and amended it with nice compost, you’re going to have super garden soil for the first few years. Because you don’t walk on a raised bed garden the way that you do with typical…

Read More

raised bed garden

How to Build a Vegetable Garden Using Raised Beds

If you’re thinking about building a vegetable garden this year, raised beds are one of the best ways I know of to start a vegetable garden. Instead of renting a rototiller or hand-digging the soil, adding amendments and turning it all under to create a good garden bed, you start with the best soil mixture…

Read More

henbit close up

Henbit: Plant Profile

I’ve put together this henbit plant profile to spotlight a lovely plant – which many gardeners consider a weed. Weed or flower? To me, it’s a matter of perspective. Every spring, at least one of my raised beds is covered in a thick mat of henbit. Henbit is both lovely and practical despite being labeled…

Read More

fresh beets from the garden on the lawn after being washed

The Ultimate Guide to Growing Organic Beets

I wrote this Ultime Guide to Growing Beets to share my techniques for growing tasty, organic beets. Beets are a powerhouse of nutrition. Both the beetroot and the leaves and stems are edible. You can also can beets and beet greens to store them for year-round use. Here, I share with you a full guide…

Read More

  • Privacy Policy
  • About
  • Awards

Copyright © 2025 Home Garden Joy on the Foodie Pro Theme