Why do the tips of my plant's leaves turn brown?

Brown, crispy tips on an otherwise green plant are common, especially on spider plants, peace lilies and other plants with long, narrow leaves. The tips are the farthest point from the roots, so they show stress first. The good news is that this is rarely fatal.

The usual causes

Uneven watering. Letting a plant dry out completely and then flooding it is a classic cause. Aim for steady, even moisture suited to the plant. Overwatering can also cause brown tips because damaged roots cannot supply the leaves.

Dry air. Heating in winter dries the air. Tropical plants such as peace lilies feel it first. Keep plants away from heaters and vents, and group them together. A humidifier helps if you want to go further.

Mineral build-up. Salts from tap water and from fertilizer collect in the soil and burn the tips. If you see a white crust on the soil or the pot rim, flush the pot: water slowly and heavily so water runs out of the bottom, and let it drain. Repeat a couple of times.

Water quality. Some plants, including spider plants and peace lilies, are known to be sensitive to minerals or additives in tap water. If you suspect this, try rainwater or water that has been left to stand, and see whether new leaves stay clean.

Too much fertilizer. Feed at the label rate or weaker, and only in the growing season. Do not feed a dry or stressed plant.

Sun scorch. Strong direct sun can burn leaf tips and edges. Move the plant back or add a curtain.

What to do

1. Check the soil moisture and the pot drainage.
2. Look for a crust of salts and flush the pot if there is one.
3. Move the plant away from heaters, vents and hot glass.
4. Change one thing at a time and wait for new growth. Existing brown tips will not turn green again.

Trimming

You can cut off brown tips with clean scissors. Follow the natural shape of the leaf, and leave a thin margin of brown so you do not cut into healthy tissue. Trimming is cosmetic. It does not fix the cause.

A note for pet owners

Check the pet-safety result before choosing where to put a plant. The spider plant is listed by the ASPCA as non-toxic to cats and dogs. The peace lily is listed as toxic.

If you keep several plants, FloraPulse’s care history can help you spot patterns such as brown tips following a gap in watering.