Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check your watering log to see if you are skipping waterings for too long.
- Examine the soil surface for white crusty deposits.
- Test the moisture level to ensure the roots are getting enough hydration.
Likely causes
Inconsistent Watering
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips turn brown and crispy while the rest of the leaf looks dull. This occurs when the plant goes through extreme cycles of being bone dry and then suddenly flooded.
What to do: Establish a consistent rhythm of watering every 7 to 21 days depending on the season. Always water deeply until liquid flows from the drainage holes.
Mineral Buildup
PossibleHow to tell: Brown tips appear even when the soil moisture seems correct. This is often caused by high salt or mineral content in tap water.
What to do: Flush the soil with distilled or filtered water to wash away excess salts. Switch to using rainwater or filtered water for future waterings.
Find out what's wrong with your boab
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
Worry if the browning spreads rapidly toward the center of the leaf. Minor tip browning is often just a sign of the plant adjusting to indoor air.
Stopping it coming back
Use filtered water and maintain a steady watering schedule that allows for complete drying between sessions.
Boab: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your boab and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Will the brown tips turn green again?
- No, the brown parts are dead tissue and will not recover. You can trim the brown tips off for aesthetics.
- Does humidity affect my Boab?
- Boabs prefer dry air, so you do not need to worry about humidity levels. Low humidity is rarely the cause of brown tips.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Boab
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.