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Chenille plant · Acalypha hispida

Why are my Chenille plant's leaf tips turning brown?

Brown tips on a Chenille plant are almost always a sign of low humidity or inconsistent watering. Check if the air in your home is too dry or if you are letting the plant get too thirsty.

Check these first

  1. Feel the soil to see if it has been dry for too long.
  2. Check if the plant is near a heater or air vent.
  3. Mist the leaves to increase local humidity.

Likely causes

  1. Low Humidity

    Most likely

    How to tell: The very edges and tips of the leaves turn crispy and brown while the rest of the leaf stays green.

    What to do: Group your plant with others to create a humid microclimate. You can also use a humidifier nearby to keep the air moist.

  2. Inconsistent Watering

    Possible

    How to tell: The soil is bone dry and the leaves feel brittle.

    What to do: Water the plant thoroughly until water runs out of the bottom. Stick to a schedule of checking the soil every 3 to 7 days.

When to worry

A few brown tips are common and not a major health threat. Worry if the browning starts to move inward toward the center of the leaf.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the soil consistently moist and maintain high humidity levels.

Not sure which one it is? Photograph your chenille plant.

This page lists the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at your actual leaf and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

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Questions people ask

Should I trim the brown tips off?
You can trim the brown parts off with clean scissors. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
Is my tap water causing this?
Sometimes mineral buildup in tap water can cause tip burn. If you suspect this, try using filtered or rainwater for a few weeks.

More problems with Chenille plant

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This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.