Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Touch the leaf tips to see if they are brittle.
- Check if the soil has pulled away from the pot edges.
- Measure the humidity levels in your room.
Likely causes
Low humidity
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips turn crisp and brown while the rest of the leaf looks healthy. This is common in dry indoor air.
What to do: Mist the foliage regularly or place a tray of water and pebbles near the base. Increasing the ambient humidity will help keep the tips green.
Underwatering
PossibleHow to tell: The soil is bone dry and pulling away from the sides of the pot. The leaves may feel brittle.
What to do: Water the tree thoroughly until moisture runs out the bottom. Aim to water every 7 to 14 days to keep the soil consistently moist.
Find out what's wrong with your kauri
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
It is normal to see slight browning as leaves age. Worry if the brown patches are spreading quickly toward the center of the leaves.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the tree away from heating vents or drafty windows that dry out the air. Consistent watering is the best defense.
Kauri: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your kauri 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
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Questions people ask
- Will the brown tips turn green again?
- No, the brown tissue is dead and will not recover. You can trim the brown parts off with scissors if you prefer.
- Does tap water cause brown tips?
- Sometimes the minerals in tap water can build up. If you suspect this, try using filtered or rainwater for a few weeks.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Kauri
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.