Should I trim off the brown tips?

Yes, you can snip them off with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. It will not hurt the plant.

Will the brown tips turn green again?

No, once a part of the frond turns brown and crispy, it will not recover. Focus on keeping the new growth healthy.

Why are my Fringed Maidenhair Fern's tips turning brown?

Check these first

Touch the top inch of soil to see if it is dry.
Check the air humidity levels in your room.
Inspect the fronds for signs of crispy edges.

Likely causes

Low Humidity
Most likely
How to tell: The tips turn crispy and brown while the rest of the frond looks dull.
What to do: Place the fern on a pebble tray filled with water to increase local humidity. You can also group it with other plants to create a more humid microclimate.
Inconsistent Watering
Most likely
How to tell: The soil feels bone dry to the touch and the fronds feel brittle.
What to do: Water your fern every 2 to 4 days when the top inch of soil feels dry. Never let the soil dry out completely, as these ferns have no way to store water.

When to worry

It is normal to see a few brown tips if the plant is adjusting to a new spot. Worry if the browning spreads rapidly across the entire frond.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the soil consistently moist and mist the plant daily or use a humidifier nearby.

Not sure which one it is? Photograph your delta maidenhair 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.

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Questions people ask

Should I trim off the brown tips?: Yes, you can snip them off with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. It will not hurt the plant.
Will the brown tips turn green again?: No, once a part of the frond turns brown and crispy, it will not recover. Focus on keeping the new growth healthy.