Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the soil moisture level with your finger.
- Look at the weather patterns for the last two weeks.
- Inspect the leaves for any signs of pests.
Likely causes
Inconsistent watering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil is bone dry for long periods between waterings.
What to do: Water deeply every 7 to 14 days during the growing season. Aim to keep the soil consistently moist but not wet.
Heat stress
PossibleHow to tell: The tips brown during a particularly hot or dry spell.
What to do: Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plant to keep the roots cool. Water more frequently during extreme heat.
Find out what's wrong with your ornamental onion
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 season progresses. Worry if the browning spreads rapidly down the leaf.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain a steady watering routine and use mulch to regulate soil temperature.
Keep your ornamental onion healthy from here
Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.
Questions people ask
- Can I trim the brown tips?
- Yes, you can snip them off with clean scissors for a tidier look. Just avoid cutting into the green part of the leaf.
- Is this a sign of disease?
- Usually, it is just a reaction to environmental stress. As long as the rest of the plant is green, it is fine.
More problems with Ornamental Onion
Back to the Ornamental Onion guide
This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.