Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check if the soil has been allowed to dry out too much.
- Observe if the brown tips are crispy or soft.
- Consider if your tap water has high chlorine or mineral content.
Likely causes
Low Humidity
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips of the leaves turn brown and crispy while the rest of the leaf stays green.
What to do: Group your plants together to create a microclimate or use a humidifier nearby. Aim for humidity levels above 50 percent.
Mineral Buildup
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn brown even when the soil is kept moist.
What to do: Switch to using filtered or distilled water instead of tap water. Flush the soil with clean water once a month to wash away excess salts.
Find out what's wrong with your lesser galangal
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 mostly cosmetic, but if the browning starts to spread inward to the leaf center, you should adjust your care.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the soil evenly moist and maintain consistent humidity levels throughout the year.
Lesser Galangal: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your lesser galangal 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 off?
- Yes, you can trim the brown parts with clean scissors. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
- Is my water the problem?
- If you have hard water, the minerals can build up in the soil and cause tip burn. Try switching to filtered water.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Lesser Galangal
- Why is my Lesser Galangal showing signs of root rot?
- Why does my Lesser Galangal have pests?
- Why are my Lesser Galangal leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my Lesser Galangal not flowering?
- Why is my Lesser Galangal drooping?
- Why is my Lesser Galangal losing its leaves?
- Why does my Lesser Galangal have spots on its leaves?
- Why is my Lesser Galangal growing so leggy?
- Why are my Lesser Galangal leaves curling?
Back to the Lesser Galangal 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.