Symptoms
- check_circleDry, papery brown tips on otherwise healthy leaves
- check_circleBrown edges spreading inward from leaf margins
- check_circleCrispy texture to the brown areas
- check_circleRest of leaf remains green and firm
Causes
- arrow_rightLow humidity (most common cause in tropical plants)
- arrow_rightInconsistent watering — swings between wet and bone dry
- arrow_rightFluoride or chlorine sensitivity (peace lilies, spider plants)
- arrow_rightOverfertilising — excess salt build-up in soil
- arrow_rightPhysical damage from brushing furniture or cold windows
- arrow_rightRoot bound — roots can't absorb enough water
How to Diagnose
Examine where the browning starts. If it begins at the very tip and is dry and crispy, low humidity is most likely. If edges are browning too and the soil has a white crust, overfertilising is the cause. Tap water sensitivity is gradual and symmetrical.
Treatment
Trim the brown tips with clean scissors following the natural leaf shape. Address the underlying cause: increase humidity with a humidifier, switch to filtered or rainwater, flush the soil if salts have accumulated, or repot if rootbound.
Prevention
Maintain consistent watering based on soil moisture rather than a fixed schedule. Use filtered or rainwater for sensitive plants. Flush soil with clean water every few months to remove salt build-up. Run a humidifier near tropical houseplants.
Affected Plants
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