Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Touch the soil to see if it feels dry.
- Check the air humidity near the plant.
- Inspect the pot for proper drainage holes.
Likely causes
Low Humidity
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips turn crispy and brown while the rest of the frond looks healthy. This happens often in homes with air conditioning or heating.
What to do: Mist the fronds daily with a spray bottle. You can also place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water to increase moisture in the air.
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil feels dry to the touch and the fronds are losing their vibrant color. The plant needs consistent moisture to stay green.
What to do: Water your fern every 2 to 4 days to keep the soil damp. Ensure the water drains through the bottom so the roots do not sit in stagnant pools.
When to worry
A few brown tips are normal as fronds age, but if the browning spreads rapidly, your plant is stressed.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the soil consistently damp and maintain high humidity levels year round.
Not sure which one it is? Photograph your golden leather fern.
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.
Questions people ask
- Should I trim the brown tips off?
- Yes, you can trim the brown parts with clean scissors. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
- Does this fern need a humidifier?
- It thrives in high humidity, so a humidifier is a great way to keep it happy indoors.
More problems with Golden leather fern
Back to the Golden leather fern 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.