It also happens if the plants do not get enough fertilizer - specifically nitrogen. Sometimes - because the grower thinks that the soil is preloaded with fertilizer so it will last forever - but actually it will be exhausted in 2-3 months. Sometimes - the plant was not repotted for a year or more, the soil got sour - and the plant cannot absorb nutrients because of this acidity. The plant sends its resources towards young center leaves and blossoms - and the older tired leaves get sacrificed. So - Elsa - you need to answer these questions - 1. How old are the leaves you are losing? If a year or more - it is time. Just as AnneCecilia described. 2. Do you fertilize your plant? How long ago you repotted it? If these things are behind - adress them. No matter what is the cause these leaves are not going to get green again. You can remove the worst ones now, and the next row - some time later. Irina

Wow, thanks for the wealth of info here. I'm im southeastern PA - zone 7a. I did loosen the roots when planted. The active growing early on seemed like the plant was happy and healthy. Understand the time spent watering is a poor measure of amount of water, or where. I wouldn't call myself a green thumb, but I do maintain a lush, green lawn throughout the year and a modestly landscaped front of house; hoping that knowledge has at least translated into me being able to adequately water this tree when it needs it. I have been assuming it's in need of more given the look of the leaves and that they feel very dry, but I could totally be misreading this. I was getting mixed signals at first as most of the browning was occurring at the tips which I took to mean over saturated... Ill need to remeasure the pH levels of my soil. I'm using a rather cheap 3-in-1 soil meter. It was all the way to the left of the gauge, seemingly maxed out. I think the gauge reads up to 9 or 10. Sounds like while I shouldn't necessarily panic about this tree right now, it very well may not stand he test of time in this location. Bummer, but that's what I get for not doing my research. Will be sure to find a more suitable tree should this fail to thrive. Thanks again for the help everyone.

Thanks kindly. Before I read your comment I was thinking it's either spider mites or a fungal infection or both. I'm going to treat the plant with a good wipe down, then a spray of Neem oil, dishwashing liquid, water. As far as I'm aware Neem should help tackle both, of course depending on what type of fungal infection it could be. What's weird is that I thought spider mites loves dry conditions, but the fungal infection I think the plant has is from water. I honestly can't figure it out! Regardless, I think the fungal infection it may have is Phytophthora Leaf Blight. If this is the case, I doubt any intervention is going to help the plant out very much. The droplets that look like water rang alarm bells when I read about different fungal infections. https://www.hunker.com/12003917/elephant-ear-diseases Who knows what's going to happen but I'm going to try to save it! I have other plants not doing well which need answers too! That's next! Thanks newhostalady Z6 ON, Canada for your help! Fingers crossed.

Hi robin98(NZ(9b)) thanks for your help! *I've had the plants for approximately 2 years. *I repotted them approximately 1-2 months ago. *Both were in terracotta pots, now just the larger one is. The smaller one is in a plastic pot now, there's been no change in either plant other than getting worse. *I water both when the top 2 inches are dry, I use my finger or a wood dowel to tell if the soil is damp, mainly my finger. If the top 2 inches are dry I water until soaked, with the water draining freely through the holes. I never let them sit in water for longer than maybe 30mins, after watering. *The build up was before I repotted, it looks like salt or water hardness. I removed them from those pots and placed them in fresh pots that had been disinfected prior to use. There's some build up since that time on the rim of the terracotta pot (can be seen slightly in photo below of the top of the pot) I'm still sad, but learning to cope with it! ;) Well, I'm trying to learn from this experience. Thank-you so much! I've included some newer photos, please feel free to ask more questions if necessary. I'm considering removing the large one from it's pot, to repot again, but into a smaller pot after I remove some roots. It smells from the top of the soil now, and although when I repotted previously there was no indication of rot I'm thinking this is either leaf disease of some type or root rot. I removed these leaves: Then this started: Here's a picture of the top of the pot: Thanks everyone in advance! Let's hope we can save these guys!