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Century plant · Agave americana

Why are the tips of my Century plant turning brown?

Brown tips on a Century plant are often a sign of environmental stress or underwatering. While these plants are tough, they do react to extreme conditions.

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Check these first

  1. Check if the soil has been dry for more than a month.
  2. Feel the brown tips to see if they are crispy or soft.
  3. Check the plant's location for nearby heaters or vents.

Likely causes

  1. Underwatering

    Most likely

    How to tell: The leaf tips are dry, crispy, and brown, while the rest of the leaf feels thin.

    What to do: Give the plant a thorough watering until water runs out of the drainage holes. Resume your regular schedule of checking the soil every 14 to 30 days.

  2. Low Humidity or Heat Stress

    Possible

    How to tell: The tips turn brown during a heatwave or in a very dry indoor environment.

    What to do: Move the plant away from heat vents or drafty windows. Ensure it has good airflow to prevent heat from building up on the leaves.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your century plant

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 little browning on the very oldest, bottom leaves is normal as the plant ages. If the browning is on new growth, you need to adjust your care.

Stopping it coming back

Maintain a consistent watering schedule and keep the plant in a stable environment away from direct heat sources.

Century plant: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your century plant 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.

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Questions people ask

Should I trim the brown tips off?
You can trim the brown parts with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
Does my plant need misting?
No, Century plants prefer dry air and do not need misting. Misting can actually lead to fungal issues.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Century plant

Back to the Century plant 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.