Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Stick your finger one inch into the soil to check for dryness.
- Verify that your pot has working drainage holes.
- Check the area for nearby air conditioning or heating vents.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil feels bone dry and the leaf tips are crispy and brown.
What to do: Water the plant deeply until water runs out of the drainage holes. Ensure you are watering every 7 to 14 days depending on the heat.
Low Humidity or Dry Air
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn brown even though the soil is consistently moist.
What to do: Move the plant away from direct heat vents or drafty windows. You can also group it with other plants to create a more humid microclimate.
Find out what's wrong with your african lily
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
A few brown tips on older, outer leaves are normal as the plant ages. You should only worry if the browning is spreading rapidly across new growth.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain a consistent watering schedule and keep the plant away from extreme temperature fluctuations.
African lily: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your african lily 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
- Can I trim the brown tips off?
- Yes, you can snip the brown parts off with clean scissors. Just avoid cutting into the healthy green tissue.
- Is tap water causing this?
- Sometimes high mineral content in tap water can cause tip burn. Try using filtered water if the problem persists.
Guides to these causes
More problems with African lily
Back to the African lily guide
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.