Brown, crispy tips on an otherwise healthy leaf are rarely an emergency. They are the plant's way of saying that water or air has been uneven for a while.
Common causes
- Dry air. Heaters and air conditioners dry the air. Plants with thin leaves, such as calatheas and ferns, show it first.
- Watering that swings between soaked and bone dry. The tips are the farthest point from the roots, so they suffer first.
- Salt build-up. Fertiliser and some tap water leave salts in the soil. A white crust on the soil or the pot rim is a clue.
- Too much water. Soggy roots can't deliver water, so the tips dry out even though the soil is wet.
- Too much direct sun, especially through glass in the afternoon.
What to do
- Water thoroughly, then let the top of the soil dry before the next watering. Aim for steady, not frequent.
- Once a month, flush the soil: water slowly until it runs freely from the bottom, and let it drain fully.
- Move the plant away from heaters, vents and hot windows.
- For plants that like humidity, group them together or use a tray of pebbles with water below the pot (the pot should not sit in the water).
- You can trim the brown tips with clean scissors, following the leaf's natural shape. They won't turn green again, and trimming is only for looks.
When to scan
If the browning moves past the tips and spreads inward, or the brown areas are wet, dark and spreading, it may be a disease rather than dry air. A daylight photo of one affected leaf is enough for the Plant Doctor to take a look.