Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the soil moisture with your finger.
- Look for dry air sources like vents nearby.
- Verify your watering schedule.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil feels bone dry and the grass blades look brittle.
What to do: Water the plant thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes. Maintain a schedule of checking the soil every 3 to 7 days.
Low Humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn brown even though the soil is moist.
What to do: Mist the grass occasionally or place it near other plants to create a humid microclimate. Avoid placing it directly in front of a heater or air vent.
Find out what's wrong with your early hair-grass
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
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When to worry
A few brown tips are normal as the plant grows, but if the browning spreads down the blade, it needs attention.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy and avoid dry drafts.
Early hair-grass: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your early hair-grass 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
- Should I trim the brown tips?
- Yes, you can snip the brown ends off with clean scissors to keep the plant looking tidy. It will not harm the plant.
- Does tap water cause brown tips?
- Sometimes, minerals in tap water can build up. If you suspect this, try using filtered or rainwater.
Guides to these causes
More problems with early hair-grass
Back to the early hair-grass 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.