Rose Leaves Turning Brown & Dying

Growing Conditions

• Harsh weather damages the leaves on rose bushes. Too much direct sun or high wind can burn the leaves. Salt in soil has the same effect; if salt is a concern, rosarian Rod McKusick suggests that you give your roses twice the normal amount of water once every month. This drenching helps flush excess salt out of the soil.

Spots

• If the brown on the leaves starts as small brown spots that expand, the chances are that you're dealing with a fungus problem rather than a larger problem related to the condition of the plants. Downy mildew and Anthracnose are just two of the examples of the fungi that cause brown spots that will eventually kill leaves. Pruning plants so that airflow can dry leaves and not watering them from above in a fashion that allows water to sit on the leaves for extended periods of time helps prevent fungal growth.

Aphids

• Aphids love roses and attack them often in the spring. Aphid infestations sometimes lead to leaves that curl and turn brown and eventually die. Look underneath the leaf to see if aphids are present because they live and feed on the bottom of rose leaves. A strong spray of water should rinse aphids off of a rose plant, but if the problem persists, you need to use an insecticide formulated for aphid control to prevent the problem from getting worse.

Spider Mites

• Spider mites are the other insect scourge of rose bushes. If a leaf is attacked by too many spider mites, it will start to brown until it eventually dies and falls off. Help your roses stay hydrated to prevent spider mites because they flourish most during times of drought. Keeping a clean flower bed also helps because dead branches and leaves provide them with places to nest. Insecticidal soap or stronger sprays may be required to remove a severe spider mite infestation.