Phormium Cream Delight leaves going brown

amberspy · May 2023

I brought this plant three years ago it’s more double in size
but noticed lot leaves are going brown in middle of leaves
not sure we’re to dig it out and bin it

Plantminded · May 2023

This has been common for many phormiums after our recent winter and the dry summer before. I removed all the browned leaves from mine at the base a few weeks ago, gave the plant a few handfuls of blood fish and bone and put a mulch of organic farmyard manure around the base, then watered well. It’s looking much better now. A photo would help to assess the extent of your plant’s damage and condition.

Fairygirl · May 2023

Mine always look like that after winter @amberspy , and Cream Delight in particular. I cut back dead foliage every spring, taking out lots of the damaged leaves, and leaving the healthy ones. They grow back without any help from me.
There's also an insect that causes browning - gives them a rusty look, but it's rarely problematic, in my experience. The variegated, gold/cream types aren't quite as tough as the plain ones either.
A photo will definitely help, but if it's just some dead foliage, and there's life in at the base, it should come back.

I've been growing them for decades, and have never lost any until this year, despite our often harsh weather. Drainage is key for them. Those cold spells in December and March have caused more problems than usual, because it was wet and mild, then suddenly freezing, and that's what's difficult for them. Dry cold isn't so difficult.
I lost all my potted ones - easier for helping with drainage, and C. Delight is a real favourite. It's in a raised bed, and it's actually still alive. I took all the dead stuff off, and there are some new shoots coming. The bits right up against the timber had enough shelter to enable it to hang on.

amberspy · May 2023

Fairygirl said:

Mine always look like that after winter @amberspy , and Cream Delight in particular. I cut back dead foliage every spring, taking out lots of the damaged leaves, and leaving the healthy ones. They grow back without any help from me.
There's also an insect that causes browning - gives them a rusty look, but it's rarely problematic, in my experience. The variegated, gold/cream types aren't quite as tough as the plain ones either.
A photo will definitely help, but if it's just some dead foliage, and there's life in at the base, it should come back.

I've been growing them for decades, and have never lost any until this year, despite our often harsh weather. Drainage is key for them. Those cold spells in December and March have caused more problems than usual, because it was wet and mild, then suddenly freezing, and that's what's difficult for them. Dry cold isn't so difficult.
I lost all my potted ones - easier for helping with drainage, and C. Delight is a real favourite. It's in a raised bed, and it's actually still alive. I took all the dead stuff off, and there are some new shoots coming. The bits right up against the timber had enough shelter to enable it to hang on.

It’s awful eh
it was one my favourite
here’s picture sorry for late reply

Fairygirl · May 2023

Just cut off all the dead/damaged leaves - or enough to still give you a decent shape.
It'll be producing new foliage in at the base, so take your time and avoid cutting those.
Be careful too- the old, dead leaves can be very sharp!
Scissors - good sharp ones - are the best tool to use.

Plantminded · May 2023

Mine looked almost as bad as yours a few weeks ago. I removed more than half the leaves, instant transformation! Try to cut the leaves as close to the base as possible to avoid jagged remnants of leaves sticking up which can spoil the overall appearance. It can be a bit unnerving when you start seeing how many leaves are damaged but keep going and the undamaged leaves will fill the new space you have created.

Fairygirl · May 2023

That one looks superb compared to what mine looked like this year!
Mine looks like that pic after most winters.

amberspy · May 2023

If I cut right back to the base how long will it take to grow back
will it grow quickly

Fairygirl · May 2023

You don't need to cut every stem out - just the worst ones.
As I said - mine look like yours after virtually every winter. I take out the worst stems, and new ones are produced, so that by mid to end of summer, it looks like new again. Any of the other ropey ones can then be removed if you like.
Mine was virtually all gone this year - the whole thing was completely brown, but a few small pieces have survived. I've removed everything apart from those, so it won't recover until next year, assuming it's a reasonable winter.

I have a photo of what it looked like, but it's on the other laptop and it takes forever to get going.

Phormium Cream Delight leaves going brown

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