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Ail · Allium sativum

Why do my garlic leaves have brown tips?

Brown tips on garlic are usually a sign of environmental stress rather than a disease. Check your watering schedule first to see if the soil is drying out too much between sessions.

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Check these first

  1. Check the soil moisture at a depth of 2 inches.
  2. Examine the soil surface for white crusty salt deposits.
  3. Review your recent fertilizer applications.

Likely causes

  1. Inconsistent Watering

    Most likely

    How to tell: The tips turn brown and crispy while the rest of the leaf remains green. This happens when the soil fluctuates between very dry and very wet.

    What to do: Maintain an even moisture level by watering every 5 to 10 days. Apply a layer of mulch to help keep the soil moisture stable.

  2. Salt Buildup

    Possible

    How to tell: Brown tips appear even when you are watering regularly. This can happen if you use heavy fertilizers or if your water source is high in minerals.

    What to do: Flush the soil with a deep watering to wash away excess salts. Switch to a balanced, organic fertilizer.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your ail

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

Minor browning at the very tips is common as the plant matures. Worry only if the browning moves rapidly down the leaf.

Stopping it coming back

Mulch your garlic bed with straw to keep soil moisture consistent and protect roots from heat.

Ail: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

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Questions people ask

Should I trim the brown tips?
You can trim them with clean scissors if you like, but it is not strictly necessary for the plant's health.
Does sun exposure cause brown tips?
Garlic loves full sun, but extreme heat waves can cause some tip burn. Ensure they are well watered during hot spells.

Guides to these causes

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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.