Why Do My Artichoke Leaves Have Brown Scorch Marks?

Brown scorched areas on artichoke leaves — appearing as dry, crispy brown margins, tips or irregular blotches — are almost always caused by a physical stress rather than a pathogen. Artichoke leaves are large and exposed, and they are susceptible to desiccation damage when the leaf tissue loses water faster than the roots can supply it. The pattern and location of the scorch marks often indicate the specific cause.

Wind scorch

Artichokes have very large leaves that lose water rapidly in wind. In exposed positions — coastal sites, hillsides, garden boundaries facing into prevailing winds — the outer leaves develop brown, dry margins as they desiccate faster than the roots can compensate. Wind scorch typically affects the most exposed, outermost leaves first and appears most severely on the leaf tips and margins. The solution is either to move the plant to a more sheltered position (only practical for young plants) or to install a windbreak such as a hedge, fence or woven willow screen on the windward side.

Drought and heat scorch

During hot, dry spells, particularly when combined with strong sun, artichoke leaf tips and margins dry out and turn brown if the plant is not receiving enough water. This appears on the outermost parts of the leaf — the tips and margins — as these are the furthest from the water supply in the leaf vascular system. Water deeply and apply a thick mulch around the plants to maintain soil moisture. Established plants in good soil tolerate moderate drought but large-leaved plants in containers are very vulnerable.

Nutrient burn (fertiliser scorch)

Applying concentrated fertiliser directly to the leaves or applying granular fertiliser that contacts the leaf base can cause localised chemical burns — brown blotches or patches at the point of contact. Always water in granular fertilisers immediately after application and keep them away from leaf contact. Apply liquid feeds to the soil, not the foliage, unless they are specifically formulated as foliar feeds at the correct dilution.

Frost scorch

Late spring frosts damage the soft new growth on artichoke plants, causing the tips and margins of young leaves to turn brown and die back. The damage is most severe on the most recently expanded leaves. This is cosmetically unattractive but rarely fatal — the affected tissue can be removed and the plant continues to grow from the crown and remaining undamaged growth.