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Common water plantain · Alisma plantago-aquatica

Why are my water plantain leaves getting brown tips?

It is less common for this plant to have brown tips, as it thrives in wet conditions. This usually happens when the water level drops too low or the plant dries out for even a short period. Check your water depth first to ensure the crown is still submerged.

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Check these first

  1. Check the water level in your container.
  2. Feel the soil to see if it is still saturated.
  3. Inspect the leaves for any signs of pests.

Likely causes

  1. Drying out

    Possible

    How to tell: The soil surface feels dry to the touch or the water level has receded below the pot rim.

    What to do: Add water immediately to bring the level back up to at least the soil surface. Keep the plant in 1 to 6 inches of standing water at all times.

  2. Water quality

    Possible

    How to tell: The tips turn brown while the rest of the leaf remains a healthy green color.

    What to do: Switch to using collected rainwater or pond water instead of tap water. Tap water often contains chlorine or minerals that can irritate aquatic plants.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your common water plantain

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

Worry if the browning spreads rapidly toward the center of the plant. It is normal for the oldest, lowest leaves to brown and die back as the plant grows.

Stopping it coming back

Maintain a consistent water depth of 1 to 6 inches throughout the growing season.

Common water plantain: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your common water plantain 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?
Yes, you can trim them with clean scissors to keep the plant looking tidy. It will not hurt the plant to remove the dead tissue.
Does this mean my plant is dying?
Not necessarily, it is usually just a sign that the plant is stressed by a lack of water. Once you restore the water level, it should recover.

More problems with Common water plantain

Back to the Common water plantain 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.