Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the soil moisture level.
- Evaluate the surrounding air temperature.
- Look for signs of salt buildup in the soil.
Likely causes
Inconsistent watering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil dries out completely between waterings, causing the tips to crisp.
What to do: Set a reminder to check the soil every 3 to 7 days. Keep the soil moisture steady to prevent stress.
Low humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn brown and brittle while the rest of the leaf remains green.
What to do: Group plants together to create a more humid microclimate. You can also place a tray of water and pebbles near the plant.
Find out what's wrong with your cow parsley
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 fatal but indicate the plant is unhappy with its environment. It is normal for very old leaves to develop minor browning at the edges.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the soil consistently damp and avoid placing the plant near heating vents.
Cow parsley: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your cow parsley 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 snip the brown parts off with clean scissors. Try to follow the natural shape of the leaf.
- Does tap water cause brown tips?
- Sometimes, if your water is very hard. Try using filtered or rainwater if you suspect mineral buildup.
More problems with Cow parsley
- Why is my cow parsley drooping?
- Why does my cow parsley have spots on its leaves?
- Why is my cow parsley growing so tall and leggy?
- Why are my cow parsley leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my cow parsley not producing any flowers?
- Why are there bugs on my cow parsley?
- Why is my cow parsley wilting?
- Why are my cow parsley leaves curling?
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.