Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check if the soil has pulled away from the edges of the pot.
- Feel if the leaf tips are brittle or soft.
- Observe if the brown color is spreading down the leaf.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips are dry, brittle, and crispy while the rest of the leaf looks thin. The plant may also look slightly shriveled.
What to do: Give the plant a thorough soaking until water runs out of the drainage holes. Resume a schedule of watering every 14 to 30 days once the soil is fully dry.
Mineral Buildup
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn brown despite regular watering, and you might see white crusty deposits on the soil surface. This is caused by salts in tap water.
What to do: Flush the soil with distilled or rainwater to wash away excess salts. Switch to using filtered water for future waterings.
Find out what's wrong with your mountain aloe
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
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
It is serious if the browning reaches the base of the leaves, as this indicates severe dehydration. Minor tip browning is often just a sign of the plant's natural response to dry air or tap water.
Stopping it coming back
Water deeply but infrequently, and use rainwater or filtered water when possible to prevent salt accumulation.
Mountain Aloe: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your mountain aloe 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
- Can I trim the brown tips?
- Yes, you can trim the brown tips with clean, sharp scissors for aesthetic reasons. Cut just outside the green tissue to avoid damaging the healthy part of the leaf.
- Is my aloe getting enough humidity?
- Aloe marlothii thrives in dry conditions and does not need extra humidity. Brown tips are almost never caused by low humidity for this species.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Mountain Aloe
- Why is my Mountain Aloe rotting at the base?
- What are these strange growths on my Mountain Aloe?
- Why is my Mountain Aloe getting so tall and thin?
- Why are my Aloe marlothii leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my Aloe marlothii drooping?
- Why does my Aloe marlothii have spots on its leaves?
- Why is my Aloe marlothii not flowering?
Back to the Mountain Aloe 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.