The indoor fir is one of the few conifers that can be cultivated as a houseplant. However, the modernity of today's living spaces makes it increasingly difficult to keep them. Read here how you can save an indoor fir tree that is turning brown.
To the point
- Location of great importance
- Indoor fir trees turn brown due to care errors
- sensitive to touch
- ensure high humidity
- do not water too generously
Table of contents
- Ambient temperature is not correct
- Humidity too low
- Incorrect watering
- Touch sensitivity
- frequently asked Questions
Ambient temperature is not correct
Will the Indoor fir (Araucaria heterophylla) brown, this may be due to the ambient temperature. This plays a key role in the growth and development of the plant. If the temperatures are not in the optimal range, some processes do not work well enough.
If the temperature is too high, stomata close, resulting in less CO2 gets into the leaves and the photosynthesis is inhibited. In addition, a disruption of the water balance can be caused. As a result, the needles dry out and sometimes the trunk of the indoor fir turns brown. If the environment is too cold, the metabolism fails, the supply from the roots decreases and brown drying symptoms also occur.
Countermeasure
First check the ambient temperature. This should be within a certain range. If this is not the case, it is advisable to change or regulate the temperature immediately. The optimal ambient temperatures look like this:
- Spring to autumn: between 22 and a maximum of 25 degrees Celsius
- Winter: between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius
- Additionally: no warm window sill space
Tip: Avoid one in winter Location with drafts. Although the indoor fir doesn't mind short-term temperature fluctuations much, it does affect cold ones If there is a draft on them regularly over a long period of time, this can also be a cause of brown needles be.
Humidity too low
The indoor fir needs a high level of humidity, which is around 80 percent. This is hardly possible in most residential buildings, especially if the location is in a heated room. Due to the lack of humidity, less moisture gets into the needles of the indoor fir and the tree quickly turns brown.
Countermeasures
To save the indoor fir, you should immediately give it a generous shower as a first aid measure to prevent further browning. If excess water has drained away, it can be moved to a location higher humidity to be placed – or at least far away from dry heating air. Then take these care measures:
- be careful with it every day lime-free water (Rain water or stale tap water).
- If necessary, set up automatic humidifiers near the plant
- Alternatively: position bowls filled with water and check the water level regularly
- definitely avoid blazing sun
Tip: Ideal locations with higher humidity are, for example bathroom in summer and unheated hallways, winter gardens and often too bedroom. The latter is only suitable if there is no air conditioning system in operation, which draws in room air and causes maximum air dryness.
Incorrect watering
One of the most common causes is the accumulation of water in the planter because poured too generously and no expiration is possible. This then leads to waterlogging, to which the plants react sensitively. The result: your indoor fir tree turns brown. Waterlogging can quickly lead to plant death, which is why immediate action is required to save the plant.
Countermeasures
If there is water in the planter, please take the following steps:
- Immediately remove the plant from the pot and pot it completely
- Remove wet soil from roots
- Cut off heavily softened and already moldy root parts
- Leave to air dry at room temperature for 2 to 3 hours (never place in the sun or over heaters)
- finally plant in fresh, dry substrate and pot with drainage
- do not pour on
- Only water again after two days
- In the future, pour off excess water after watering
Touch sensitivity
As unbelievable as this sounds, indoor firs are actually very sensitive to touch. Similar to a suboptimal ambient temperature, touch also triggers a safety mechanism by closing the stomata. It cannot contain humidity and CO2 penetrate more and the needles of the indoor fir turn brown as a result.
Countermeasures
The only possible countermeasure is to avoid further contact. Therefore, stick to these tips:
- Do not choose a location with “through traffic” where plants are touched when passing by
- Maintain sufficient distance from furniture and walls
- Avoid touching when caring
- If possible, only touch the lower trunk
Tip: What applies to humans also applies to pets. dogs, Cats or Budgies Therefore, if possible, they should not have access to the indoor fir tree.
frequently asked Questions
Losing branches is often preceded by a browning of the needles that extends to the base of the branch. Therefore, causes for this are identical to those for brown needles, as described in the article above.
Yes. However, it should also be in a partially shaded location and, above all, protected from warm sunlight. Make sure that the ambient temperature does not rise above 25 degrees Celsius. Ideally it is between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius.
Yes. Indoor firs can be fertilized with coffee grounds because they are slightly acidic and the plants feel best at an acidic pH value between 4.5 and 5.0. Coffee grounds also contain valuable nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Fertilization can be done as with normal fertilizer. However, it is important to ensure that the coffee grounds are cool and dry so that they do not cause burns and/or promote mold formation.
