Can I reuse soil from a plant with brown edges?
Written by
Nguyen Minh
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.Brown leaf edges are not a mark of death for the soil, but reused soil can be a serious risk of reusing problems. I successfully reused soil from a peace lily with extreme tip burn problems by sterilizing the soil. However, unwashed soil from the peace lily strangled my next plant with salt and fungus gnats. Never take soil reuse lightly.
Soil Sterilization
- Bake old soil at 200°F (93°C) for 30 minutes to kill pathogens
- Solarize in sealed plastic bags for 6 weeks in summer heat
- Avoid microwaving, uneven heating leaves surviving pests
Soil Refreshment
- Mix 1:1 sterilized soil with fresh potting mix
- Add 20% perlite or pumice for drainage
- Incorporate worm castings (1/4 cup per gallon) for nutrients
Preventive Measures
- Test EC (electrical conductivity) to check salt levels
- Flush soil monthly if using synthetic fertilizers
- Rotate crops to different plant families annually
I have returned from taking a batch of salt-crusted soil from brown-edged snake plants, then I soaked it overnight in rainwater and came back 8 weeks later and solarized it. This was a batch that was thrown away, and now I have a nice fresh mix growing for some healthy spider plants. Always wear gloves when handling sterilized soil, even after solarizing it the heat just sends the mineral residue to your skin.
TDS Meter
- Measures salt buildup (ideal <500 ppm)
- Calibrate monthly with distilled water
- Flush soil if readings exceed 800 ppm
pH Tester
- Most houseplants need 6.0-7.0 pH
- Adjust with dolomite lime (raise) or sulfur (lower)
- Test runoff water weekly during recovery
Read the full article: Understanding and Fixing Brown Leaf Edges on Plants
