:strip_icc()/watering-codiaeum-variegatum-cd364c0e-31236e73b69b4578a94834e7e7467b6b.jpg?w=1920&resize=1920,1900&ssl=1 "What Causes Brown Tips on Plants? Here Are 3 Possible Reasons")
When your green and gorgeous houseplants start to look unhealthy, it can be tricky to figure out what’s wrong. Could the culprit be disease, pests, temperature extremes, or perhaps a nutrient problem? If you’re wondering about those brown tips on plants, they might be a sign that something is off with your houseplant’s living conditions. Foliage browning can happen for a number of reasons, but the most likely causes are the way you’re watering, the amount of humidity around the plant, and how much fertilizer is in the potting soil. Here’s how to remedy each of these common houseplant problems that cause brown tips on plants.
1. Inconsistent Watering Habits
Brown tips on plant leaves are often an indication that you need to rethink the way you’re watering. When a plant gets overwatered, then dries out too much before the next watering, and then maybe gets just a drizzle, that’s a recipe for brown leaves. With the exception of succulents, which need a light hand with the watering can, most indoor plants prefer a steady supply of moisture. Instead of giving your plant babies hydration whiplash, the best way to water a houseplant is to do it consistently. It’s always a good idea to keep adding water until you see it run out of the drainage holes. Then, make sure to empty the saucer so the pot doesn’t stand in wetness, which will rot the roots and cause a whole new set of problems.
Alternatively, you can bottom-water your houseplants by setting their pots into a couple of inches of water and letting them soak for 10 minutes or until the moisture soaks up through the drainage holes. Then, move the pots back to their regular spots on saucers. If you tend to overwater your plants, this is an excellent technique to use because once the soil is damp enough, it won’t soak up more water.
2. Lack of Humidity
Brown tips on plants could also be an indication of too little moisture in the air. That’s because many common houseplants are native to jungle conditions. So, if your home is very dry, give your plants a daily misting—especially during winter months. Grouping houseplants together can also help keep humidity levels up. Boost the moisture even more by setting their pots on top of a layer of pebbles in a shallow tray. Then, add water just to the tops of the pebbles (or the rim of the tray). As the water evaporates, it’ll create a humid micro-climate to keep leaves looking their best. Add more water as needed.
3. Salt Build-Up in the Soil
Brown tips on plants can also indicate a buildup of salts from fertilizers over time or from softened water. Most potted plants benefit from occasional fertilization, so they have all the nutrients they need to grow. But, as with our own bodies and vitamins, a little goes a long way, and more is not necessarily better. Even when you’re feeding your plants just the right amount, salts tend to accumulate in the potting mix (and not adding enough water to drain out the bottom makes it worse). That’s one reason it’s a good idea to repot with fresh soil every couple of years. Softened water can also turn the leaf tips brown, so consider using distilled or filtered water to keep your plants happy.
Once you start to address the causes of brown tips on plants, your plant should start to grow new, healthy foliage. As for the leaves that still have brown tips, you can snip the dead parts away with a pair of scissors without hurting the plant. For plants with long, strap-like foliage (such as dracaena or spider plant), make your cuts at an angle to imitate the natural shape of the leaves. That way, the plant will look almost as good as new until fresh foliage has had a chance to fill in.
