Why Do My Plant Leaves Have Brown Tips — Causes & Fixes

Guide to diagnosing and fixing brown tips on houseplant leaves. Common causes and solutions. This guide covers everything you need to know about this topic, including common causes, step-by-step solutions, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Here are the key things to understand: Low humidity: Most common cause — dry air burns leaf edges. Tap water chemicals: Fluoride and chlorine cause tip burn. Underwatering: Inconsistent watering leads to tip browning. Over-fertilizing: Salt buildup burns leaf tips. Understanding these fundamentals will help you diagnose and resolve this issue more effectively.

The most common reasons this occurs include: Low humidity — dry indoor air. Tap water fluoride/chlorine — especially Spider Plants and Dracaena. Inconsistent watering — dry spells between waterings. Over-fertilizing — salt buildup in soil. Direct sun — leaf scorch on shade-loving plants. Identifying the root cause is the first step toward finding the right solution.

To resolve this, follow these recommended steps: Increase humidity — humidifier, pebble tray, or grouping plants. Use filtered or rain water for sensitive plants. Water consistently — don't let soil go bone dry then soak. Flush soil with plain water monthly to remove salt buildup. Trim brown tips with clean scissors — cut just before green tissue. If these steps do not resolve the issue, consider consulting additional resources or a qualified professional.

This article is part of our Plant Care Guides collection on Houseplants Wiki. We provide comprehensive, up-to-date information to help you find solutions quickly.