Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check if the soil has been dry for a very long time.
- Feel the leaves to see if they are thin or plump.
- Check the location of the plant to see if it is near a heater.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves look thin, shriveled, or curled inward along with the brown tips.
What to do: Give the plant a deep watering until water runs out of the drainage hole. Ensure you wait until the soil is fully dry before the next cycle.
Low Humidity or Dry Air
PossibleHow to tell: The tips are dry and crispy, but the rest of the leaf remains plump.
What to do: Move the plant away from heating vents or drafty windows. You do not need to mist the plant, as Aloe prefers dry air.
Find out what's wrong with your aloe vera
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
Brown tips are rarely a sign of a dying plant and are mostly a cosmetic issue. You only need to worry if the browning starts moving down the entire leaf.
Stopping it coming back
Stick to a consistent watering schedule of every 14 to 21 days, adjusting slightly based on the temperature of your home.
Aloe vera: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your aloe vera 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 off?
- You can trim them with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Cut just above the healthy green tissue.
- Will the brown tips turn green again?
- No, once the tissue has turned brown and crispy, it will not return to green. Focus on keeping the new growth healthy.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Aloe vera
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.