Should I trim off the brown tips?

You can trim the brown parts with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Avoid cutting into the healthy green tissue to prevent further stress.

Does my dogbane need misting?

Misting is generally not necessary for this plant. If your air is very dry, focus on improving the environment rather than misting the leaves.

Spreading dogbane: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Touch the top inch of soil to see if it is dry.
Check if the plant is sitting near a heater or air vent.
Examine the drainage holes to ensure water is flowing through.

Likely causes

Inconsistent Watering
Possible
How to tell: The tips turn crispy and brown while the rest of the leaf may look dull. The soil feels bone dry and pulls away from the edges of the pot.
What to do: Water your plant deeply every 7 to 14 days, ensuring the top inch of soil is dry before you add more. Make sure water drains completely through the bottom holes so the roots do not sit in soggy soil.
Low Humidity
Possible
How to tell: This is less common for this plant, usually caused by extremely dry indoor air or heat vents. The leaf tips become dry and brittle even when the soil is moist.
What to do: Move the plant away from direct heat sources like radiators or air vents. You can place a tray of pebbles and water near the plant to raise the local humidity level.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your spreading dogbane

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

A few brown tips are usually just a sign of minor stress. You should worry if the browning spreads rapidly toward the center of the leaves.

Stopping it coming back

Maintain a regular watering schedule and keep the plant away from drying air currents.

Spreading dogbane: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your spreading dogbane 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

Should I trim off the brown tips?: You can trim the brown parts with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Avoid cutting into the healthy green tissue to prevent further stress.
Does my dogbane need misting?: Misting is generally not necessary for this plant. If your air is very dry, focus on improving the environment rather than misting the leaves.

Why are my spreading dogbane's leaf tips turning brown?