Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Feel the top inch of soil to see if it is dry.
- Check the location of the plant to ensure it is not near a heater vent.
- Inspect the leaves for signs of pests that might cause stress.
Likely causes
Low Humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn crisp and brown while the rest of the leaf stays green. This often happens if the plant is near a heater or in a very dry room.
What to do: Mist the leaves lightly every few days to increase local moisture. You can also place a tray of water and pebbles near the pot to boost humidity.
Underwatering
PossibleHow to tell: The soil feels bone dry and the leaves start to look dull or slightly wilted. Brown tips appear when the plant cannot pull enough water to the very edges of the foliage.
What to do: Water your peanut plant deeply until liquid runs out of the drainage holes. Ensure you are watering every 3 to 7 days whenever the top inch of soil feels dry.
Find out what's wrong with your peanut
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
Worry if the browning spreads rapidly toward the center of the leaves. It is normal to see a tiny bit of crisping on the oldest, lowest leaves as the plant ages.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy, and keep the plant in a spot with good airflow away from direct heat sources.
Keep your peanut healthy from here
Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.
Questions people ask
- Should I trim the brown tips off?
- Yes, you can snip the brown parts off with clean scissors. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
- Does my peanut plant need a humidifier?
- Usually no, as long as your home is not extremely dry. If you see persistent browning, a small humidifier nearby can help.
More problems with Peanut
- Why are there dark spots on my peanut plant leaves?
- Why are there bugs on my peanut plant?
- Why is my peanut plant growing tall and thin?
- Why are my peanut plant's leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my peanut plant not producing flowers?
- Why is my peanut plant drooping?
- Why is my peanut plant dropping its leaves?
- How do I know if my peanut plant has root rot?
- Why are my peanut plant leaves curling?
This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.