Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the soil moisture two inches below the surface.
- Inspect the surrounding area for heat sources like vents.
- Feel the texture of the brown tips to see if they are brittle.
Likely causes
Low Humidity
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips turn crisp and brown while the rest of the leaf remains green. This is common in dry indoor air or during hot, windy summers.
What to do: Mist the foliage occasionally during dry spells. If the tree is in a container, move it to a spot with better airflow away from heating vents.
Underwatering
PossibleHow to tell: The soil feels bone dry several inches down and the tips are brittle. The tree may look slightly dull overall.
What to do: Water the tree deeply every 7 to 14 days. Ensure the water reaches the entire root zone by soaking the ground thoroughly.
Find out what's wrong with your monkey puzzle tree
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
It is normal for the oldest, lowest needles to brown and drop as the tree grows. Worry if the browning is spreading rapidly to new growth.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain consistent soil moisture and protect the tree from harsh, drying winds.
Monkey puzzle tree: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your monkey puzzle tree 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
- Will the brown tips turn green again?
- No, once the needle tips turn brown, they will not recover their color. You can trim them for aesthetics if you like.
- Does my tree need more water if the tips are brown?
- Possibly, but check the soil first. If the soil is already damp, adding more water could lead to root issues.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Monkey puzzle tree
Back to the Monkey puzzle tree 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.