Can I fix the brown spots?

No, the damaged tissue will not turn green again. You can leave them or trim them off with clean scissors.

How much light is too much?

If the leaves feel hot to the touch or show bleached patches, it is getting too much direct sun.

Bromélia: spots, causes and fixes

Check these first

Observe the plant's location to see if direct sunlight hits the leaves.
Feel the spots to see if they are dry and crispy.
Check if you are using tap water that might be high in minerals.

Likely causes

Sunburn
Most likely
How to tell: You will see dry, brown, or pale bleached patches on the leaves that face the window. These spots will not spread like a disease but will remain as permanent damage.
What to do: Move the plant to a spot with bright, indirect light where it does not receive direct sun beams. You can trim off the severely damaged leaf tips if they look unsightly.
Mineral buildup
Possible
How to tell: Small, crusty white or brown spots appear on the leaves or inside the central cup. This is caused by using hard tap water with high mineral content.
What to do: Switch to using filtered, distilled, or rainwater for your bromeliad. Flush the central cup with fresh water every few weeks to clear out mineral deposits.

Leaf spots on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your bromélia

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

When to worry

Sunburn is cosmetic and won't kill the plant, but it indicates the environment is too harsh. If the spots are soft or spreading, it could be a fungal issue instead.

Stopping it coming back

Place the plant near a window with a sheer curtain or a few feet away from the glass to ensure it gets light without the heat of direct sun.

Bromélia: spots? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your bromélia and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Can I fix the brown spots?: No, the damaged tissue will not turn green again. You can leave them or trim them off with clean scissors.
How much light is too much?: If the leaves feel hot to the touch or show bleached patches, it is getting too much direct sun.

Guides to these causes

Salt Stress

Why does my bromeliad have brown or bleached spots?

Check these first

Not sure what's wrong with your bromélia?