Why Are My Plant's Leaf Tips Turning Brown?
Brown leaf tips are one of the most common houseplant problems. The good news? Once you identify the cause, it's usually easy to fix.
Quick Answer: Top 4 Causes
- 1. Low Humidity - Dry air causes tips to lose moisture
- 2. Fertilizer Burn - Salt buildup damages leaf edges
- 3. Water Quality - Tap water chemicals harm sensitive plants
- 4. Underwatering - Inconsistent watering stresses tips first
Detailed Causes & Solutions
Low Humidity
CommonMost tropical houseplants need 40-60% humidity. When air is too dry, leaf tips lose moisture faster than the plant can replace it, causing them to turn brown and crispy.
Symptoms
- Brown, crispy leaf tips
- Tips feel dry and papery
- More common in winter with heating
- Affects thin-leaved plants most
Solutions
- Use a humidifier near your plants
- Group plants together to create humidity
- Place on a pebble tray with water
- Mist leaves regularly (avoid at night)
Prevention
Maintain 40-60% humidity with a humidifier or pebble trays, especially in winter when heating dries the air.
Fertilizer Burn
ModerateToo much fertilizer causes salt buildup in the soil, which draws moisture out of roots and leaf tips. The excess minerals literally burn the plant tissue.
Symptoms
- Brown tips with yellow halo
- White crust on soil surface
- Roots may look brown or damaged
- Affects all leaves, not just old ones
Solutions
- Flush soil with plain water
- Reduce fertilizer frequency
- Dilute fertilizer to half strength
- Repot in fresh soil if severe
Prevention
Follow package instructions and err on the side of less. Most plants need fertilizer only during active growth (spring/summer).
Water Quality Issues
CommonTap water contains chlorine, fluoride, and minerals that some plants are sensitive to. These chemicals accumulate in leaf tips over time.
Symptoms
- Tips turn brown gradually
- No other obvious problems
- More common in sensitive plants (Dracaena, Spider Plant)
- White mineral deposits on soil
Solutions
- Use filtered or distilled water
- Let tap water sit overnight (removes chlorine)
- Collect rainwater for plants
- Use a water filter pitcher
Prevention
If your tap water is hard or heavily treated, consider using filtered water for sensitive plants.
Underwatering
CommonWhen plants don't get enough water, they prioritize keeping the center of the plant alive, sacrificing the leaf tips first.
Symptoms
- Brown, crispy tips
- Soil pulls away from pot edges
- Leaves may curl or droop
- Entire leaf eventually browns
Solutions
- Water thoroughly when top inch is dry
- Don't let soil dry out completely
- Check plants more frequently in summer
- Consider a self-watering pot
Prevention
Establish a consistent watering schedule. Check soil moisture every few days rather than watering on a fixed schedule.
Plants Most Prone to Brown Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I cut off brown leaf tips?
Yes, you can trim brown tips with clean scissors for a tidier appearance. Cut at an angle just above the brown area, leaving a tiny bit of brown to avoid cutting into healthy tissue. The brown parts won't turn green again.
Can brown tips spread to the whole leaf?
If the underlying cause isn't fixed, browning can spread down the leaf. However, fixing the problem (humidity, water quality, etc.) will stop the progression. Already-brown tissue won't recover, but new growth will be healthy.
Why do only the tips turn brown and not the whole leaf?
Leaf tips are the furthest point from the roots and receive water last. When there's any moisture stress - from dry air, salt buildup, or underwatering - tips suffer first. It's the plant's early warning system.
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