Hi Kimberly,

Yellow marks on Clivia Plant leaves

Clivia Plant

Your plant is called a Clivia Plant. The leaves are turning brown because you are over fertilizing the plant, excess salts from the fertilizerPlants need fertilizer only when they are actively growing. Slow growing plants in low light require very little plant food. Too much fertilizer is worse than not enough. Most plants prefer a water soluble plant food at 1/2 the recommended strength. Plants that are in bloom or dormant should not be fertilized. Houseplant food contains nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). A fertilizer containing these elements in equal proportion is considered a balanced plant food. Nitrogen helps in photosynthesis and encourages the growth of leaves and stems. Potassium and phosphorus also help in photosynthesis and aid in root and flower development. Most fertilizers have trace elements of other minerals that are lacking in the soil but are necessary for good plant growth. Fertilizers have a high salt content. If a plant is not producing new leaves and doesn’t absorb the fertilizer, salts build up in the soil. These salts can burn the roots, discolor the leaves, and cause new growth to be small.   build up in the soil and burn the leaves. You should usually feed a Clivia Plant after it has finished blooming and also monthly from July to October. Use a balanced indoor plant food at 1/2 the recommended strength. Never fertilize your Clivia Plant during the fall and winter when it is resting. Next time you water, rinse the soil well with distilled water several times, allowing it to drain thoroughly each time. This helps leach the salt out of the soil. Do not feed your plant again until next July.

These plants are considered poisonous and should be kept away from pets and children. Read more about common houseplants that are poisonous in my book Don’t Feed Me To Your Cat! A Guide to Poisonous Houseplants