Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check if the soil is bone dry.
- Measure the humidity in the room.
- Look for signs of spider mites which thrive in dry air.
Likely causes
Low Humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The tips of the leaves turn dry and crispy while the rest of the leaf remains green. This is common in homes with central heating or air conditioning.
What to do: Place a humidifier near the plant to increase moisture in the air. You can also group it with other plants to create a more humid microclimate. Misting the leaves daily can also help.
Underwatering
PossibleHow to tell: The leaves feel dry and brittle, and the soil pulls away from the edges of the pot. The brown tips appear quickly after the soil dries out completely.
What to do: Water the plant thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes. Check the soil every 3 days to ensure it stays slightly moist. Do not let the soil dry out completely for long periods.
Find out what's wrong with your pencil flower
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant 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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When to worry
Brown tips are mostly a cosmetic issue. Worry if the browning spreads rapidly to the rest of the leaf or if the plant starts dropping leaves.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the soil consistently moist and maintain moderate humidity levels to keep the leaves supple.
Keep your pencil flower healthy from here
Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.
Questions people ask
- Should I trim the brown tips off?
- You can trim the brown parts with clean scissors, but be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue. This keeps the plant looking tidy.
- Does tap water cause brown tips?
- Sometimes the minerals in tap water can cause tip burn. If you suspect this, try using filtered or distilled water for a few weeks.
More problems with Pencil flower
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- Why is my Copperleaf drooping?
- Why are my copperleaf leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my copperleaf plant getting so leggy?
- Why does my Copperleaf have spots on its leaves?
- How do I fix root rot on my Copperleaf?
- Why are my Copperleaf's leaves curling?
Back to the Pencil flower guide
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.