Brown leaf tips on house plants: causes and fixes
Brown leaf tips and edges are a common sign of stress. The leaf dies at the tip first. The cause is often dry air, salt in the soil, or uneven watering.
This is general care advice. Check the label of your plant. Keep toxic plants away from pets and children.
What you need
- Clean scissors
- Water (not softened)
- A saucer you can empty
Steps
- Look at the brown tips. Check if the edge between brown and green is sharp. Brown tips alone, with a green plant, point to air or salts. Brown with yellow around it points to water.
- Look at the soil surface and the pot rim. A white crust means salt build-up from fertilizer or tap water.
- Push a finger 2 to 3 cm into the soil. Soil that swings between bone dry and very wet stresses the roots.
- Check where the plant stands. Heaters, vents and hot sun dry the air and the leaf tips.
- Cut off the brown tips with clean scissors. Cut along the natural shape of the leaf. Leave a thin brown edge so you do not cut green tissue.
- Follow the answer in the check below.
Check your plant
Answer the questions. The guide shows what to do.
Warnings
- Brown tips that are already dry do not turn green again.
- Do not use softened water. It adds salt to the soil.
Questions and answers
Why do my plant's leaf tips turn brown?
Common causes are dry air, salt build-up from fertilizer or tap water, and uneven watering. Check the soil and the air.
Should I cut off brown tips?
You can. Use clean scissors and follow the shape of the leaf. The cut does not heal the leaf, but the plant looks better.
Does misting stop brown tips?
Not much. Misting raises humidity for only a few minutes. A humidifier or grouped plants work better.