Can I trim the brown tips off?

Yes, you can snip them off with clean scissors. Just try not to cut into the green part of the leaf.

Is my water too hard?

If you see white crusty deposits on the edge of the pot, your water is likely too hard. Switch to rainwater to prevent further damage.

Alligator weed: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check the humidity levels in the room.
Test your tap water for high mineral content.
Ensure the plant is not sitting directly in front of a heater vent.

Likely causes

Low Humidity
Most likely
How to tell: The tips turn brown and crispy while the rest of the leaf stays green. This is common in homes with central heating or air conditioning.
What to do: Mist the leaves daily or place a humidifier nearby. Keeping the plant in a tray of water helps maintain a humid microclimate.
Mineral Accumulation
Possible
How to tell: Brown tips appear even when the plant is in water. This is often caused by high salt or mineral content in tap water.
What to do: Flush the soil or water container with distilled or rainwater. Switch to using filtered water for your regular maintenance.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your alligator weed

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.

When to worry

Brown tips are mostly cosmetic. Worry only if the browning starts to move down the leaf toward the stem, which indicates a deeper issue.

Stopping it coming back

Use distilled water and keep the plant away from direct airflow from vents or fans.

Alligator weed: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your alligator weed 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.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Can I trim the brown tips off?: Yes, you can snip them off with clean scissors. Just try not to cut into the green part of the leaf.
Is my water too hard?: If you see white crusty deposits on the edge of the pot, your water is likely too hard. Switch to rainwater to prevent further damage.

Why are my Alligator weed leaves getting brown tips?