Can I trim the brown tips?

You can trim the brown parts off with clean scissors, but try to leave a tiny sliver of brown so you do not cut into healthy green tissue.

Is my plant dying if it has brown tips?

Not at all. It is just telling you that the environment is a bit too dry or the water quality is not quite right.

Pineapple: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check if the air in your home is very dry.
Look for white crust on the soil surface.
Evaluate your water source.

Likely causes

Low Humidity
Most likely
How to tell: The tips turn crisp and brown, especially during winter when heaters are running. The rest of the leaf looks healthy.
What to do: Place a humidifier nearby or group your plant with others to create a microclimate. You can also mist the leaves occasionally, though this is less effective than a humidifier.
Mineral Buildup
Possible
How to tell: The brown tips are accompanied by a white crust on the soil surface. This happens when using hard tap water over a long period.
What to do: Switch to using filtered or distilled water for your pineapple. Flush the soil with plenty of water once a month to wash out accumulated salts.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your pineapple

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 rarely fatal but indicate the plant is not in its ideal environment. It is only a major concern if the browning starts moving rapidly toward the base of the leaves.

Stopping it coming back

Use filtered water and keep the plant away from direct heating or cooling vents.

Pineapple: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your pineapple 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?: You can trim the brown parts off with clean scissors, but try to leave a tiny sliver of brown so you do not cut into healthy green tissue.
Is my plant dying if it has brown tips?: Not at all. It is just telling you that the environment is a bit too dry or the water quality is not quite right.

Guides to these causes

Salt Stress

Why are the tips of my pineapple plant's leaves turning brown?

Check these first

Not sure what's wrong with your pineapple?