Brown tips on houseplant leaves are one of those things that almost every plant owner deals with at some point. They can show up out of nowhere and leave you wondering what went wrong.
And the tricky part? There’s not just one reason it happens.
As you’ll see, the most common reasons why a houseplant’s leaves have brown tips usually come down to water, humidity, or even fertilizer. Once you figure out the cause, it’s usually pretty easy to fix and prevent it from happening again.
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Quick Care Guide for Most Common Houseplants 💚
⭐ How to start? Easy, hard-to-kill plants like Monstera or Pothos are usually a great starting point.
💧 Water: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry, but avoid letting them sit in standing water to prevent root rot.
🌱 Soil: Use a well-draining potting mix designed for indoor plants - I personally use this one. A mix with peat, perlite, or coco coir is great for avoiding soggy roots.
☀️ Light: Most houseplants thrive in bright, indirect light. Too little light can cause leaf drop, while direct sun may scorch the leaves.
🌡️ Temperature: Keep them between 60-75°F (15-24°C) and away from drafts, heaters or air conditioners.
🌿 Fertilizer: Feed with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer (my top pick is this Miracle-Gro one) once a month during spring and summer. Hold off during fall and winter.
1. Low humidity levels
Indoor air can be pretty dry, especially when you run heating or air conditioning. A lot of common houseplants come from tropical areas and need a bit more moisture in the air.
When the air’s too dry, your plant’s leaf tips may turn brown and look crispy. You might also notice the leaves feel rough instead of soft.
Try grouping your plants together or using a humidifier (I use this one at home) to raise the humidity. Misting can help a little, but it’s not usually enough on its own. Make sure your plants aren’t sitting next to heat vents or drafty windows, since those spots are often driest.
2. Over-fertilization
Adding too much plant food can do more harm than good. It’s easy to assume extra nutrients will help your plant grow faster, but too much can actually burn the tips of its leaves.
The excess salts from fertilizers can build up in the soil. Since roots pull up water and nutrients together, those extra salts can draw moisture away from the leaf edges, resulting in crispy brown tips.
You might notice a white crust on the surface of the soil or around the pot. This is often a sign of over-fertilization. It’s a good idea to follow package instructions and give your plant an occasional flush with water to remove any leftover fertilizer salts.
3. Under-watering
Dry soil is a common reason for crispy brown tips. When plants aren’t getting enough water, they struggle to send moisture all the way to the edges of their foliage. The result is browning that starts at the tips and often works its way inward.
You might notice the edges feel brittle or curled. Soil that pulls away from the pot sides is another sign your plant is thirsty.
Checking the moisture level with your finger can help. If the top inch feels dry, you’ll want to water a bit more regularly to help prevent more brown tips.
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4. Salt buildup in soil
Too much fertilizer or hard water can leave behind salts in the potting mix. These salts slowly collect over time, even if you’re careful about how much you use.
When salt levels rise, roots can struggle to draw up water, making the ends of leaves turn brown or crispy. You might see a white or crusty layer on the soil or around the pot’s edge.
To fix this, flush out the excess with clean water and let it drain well. Switching to distilled water sometimes helps, especially if your tap water is high in minerals. Repotting with fresh soil every year or so can also keep things in balance.
5. Excessive direct sunlight
When your plant sits in strong afternoon sun for too long, leaf tips may start turning brown. Too much exposure can dry them out, making the ends crisp and discolored.
Most houseplants do better with gentle light. You might notice new leaves coming in with brown tips if the light is too harsh near a bright window.
Try pulling the pot back from the glass or using a thin curtain. Shifting your plant out of the sun’s direct path can help its leaves stay green and healthy.
6. Poor soil drainage
Soil that holds too much water can be a problem for your plant’s roots. When water doesn’t drain well, roots can stay wet for too long. This often leads to root rot and stops your plant from taking up nutrients.
You might notice that your plant looks droopy or has spots as well as brown tips. Tightly packed soil or pots without holes can make drainage worse. Using a potting mix that drains quickly helps reduce the risk.
Letting water sit in saucers under the pot can also raise the moisture level too much. It’s helpful to empty the tray after watering. Giving roots a chance to dry out in between waterings goes a long way to keep your plant healthy.
7. Root damage from repotting
Moving your plant to a new pot can sometimes hurt its roots. When roots are torn or broken, your plant can’t move water as efficiently to its leaves.
You might notice brown tips starting a week or two after repotting. The leaves are telling you the roots aren’t working quite like they used to.
Take care when transplanting by gently shaking away old soil instead of pulling at the roots. After repotting, avoid overwatering while the roots are healing.
8. Cold drafts or temperature stress
Sudden changes in room temperature can cause the edges of leaves to turn brown. Plants don’t like sitting next to drafty windows or near air conditioning vents.
Even a brief blast of cold air from an open door can be enough to stress your plant. Some plants are especially sensitive and respond to chilly air right away.
Try moving your plant to a spot where the temperature stays steady. Keeping them away from cold windows in winter or heat sources like radiators also helps.
9. Fluoride or chlorine in tap water
Some common additives in tap water, like fluoride and chlorine, can cause brown tips on leaves. Sensitive plants often react to these chemicals over time, especially if you always water straight from the tap.
You might notice the edges of the leaves turning brown or crispy. This is your plant’s way of showing it doesn’t like what’s in its water.
Letting water sit out overnight can help some of these chemicals evaporate. Filtered or distilled water is another option if the problem keeps popping up.
Tips for Preventing Brown Leaf Tips
Brown tips on plant leaves often come from how you water and what the air is like in your home. Changing a few habits can help stop tips from turning crispy or dry.
Adjusting Watering Habits
Getting the watering right is one of the main ways to keep plant leaf edges from going brown. Let the top inch of the soil dry out before adding more water, instead of watering on a set schedule. Most houseplants don’t like being overwatered or left to sit in soggy soil.
Signs you’re overwatering:
- Persistent dampness on top of the soil
- Yellowing leaves
- Mold or fungus gnats in the pot
When you water, pour slowly around the base of each plant. Empty saucers about 10 minutes after, so roots don’t stand in water. Use room-temperature water, not very cold or hot, so your plant roots aren’t shocked. A moisture meter can help you judge dampness if you’re unsure.
Improving Indoor Humidity
Low humidity inside is a common cause of brown tips, especially in winter or if you use a lot of heat or air conditioning. Some plants, like ferns, calatheas, and palms, struggle in dry air.
Simple ways to increase moisture:
- Group plants together so they create a mini microclimate
- Place a water tray filled with pebbles under pots (just above the water line)
- Run a small humidifier for a few hours each day
- Mist leaves lightly, but avoid soaking them, as some plants can get fungal spots
Keep your plants away from direct airflows, like vents or fans, which dry out leaves faster. Try to keep the humidity between 40% and 60% if possible. A cheap hygrometer can track levels for you.