Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check if the soil is dry to the touch.
- Inspect the plant for signs of heat stress.
- Verify if the plant is in a very windy location.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaf tips turn crispy and brown while the rest of the leaf feels dry and brittle.
What to do: Water the plant deeply so the moisture reaches the root zone. Aim to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy.
Low humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The tips brown during hot, dry summer spells even when the soil is moist.
What to do: Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base of the plant. This helps retain soil moisture and creates a cooler microclimate.
Find out what's wrong with your eastern red columbine
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
Minor browning on the very tips is common during the heat of summer. Worry if the browning moves inward toward the center of the leaf.
Stopping it coming back
Mulch around the base of the plant to keep the soil cool and moist throughout the summer.
Eastern red columbine: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your eastern red columbine 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
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Questions people ask
- Does tap water cause brown tips?
- Sometimes, if your water is very hard or contains high levels of chlorine. Try using collected rainwater if you suspect your tap water is the issue.
- Will the brown tips turn green again?
- No, the damaged tissue will not recover. You can trim the brown tips off for aesthetic reasons.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Eastern red columbine
- Why does my Eastern red columbine have spots on its leaves?
- What is eating my Eastern red columbine leaves?
- Why are my Eastern red columbine leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my Eastern red columbine drooping?
- Why is my Eastern red columbine dropping its leaves?
- Why is my Eastern red columbine not blooming?
- Why is my Eastern red columbine wilting?
- Why is my Eastern red columbine growing so tall and thin?
Back to the Eastern red columbine 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.