Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check if the soil has been allowed to dry out completely.
- Recall if you recently applied fertilizer.
- Look for signs of pests that might be damaging the leaf edges.
Likely causes
Inconsistent watering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil dries out completely between waterings, causing the leaf edges to crisp up. The browning starts at the very tips and works inward.
What to do: Set a consistent schedule to check the soil every 3 to 5 days. Ensure the soil stays evenly moist but never sitting in standing water.
Excessive fertilizer
PossibleHow to tell: The brown tips appear suddenly after you have fed the plant. The leaves may also look slightly burned or curled.
What to do: Flush the soil with plenty of plain water to wash away excess salts. Avoid fertilizing for at least a month while the plant recovers.
Find out what's wrong with your lesser burdock
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
It is normal for the oldest, lowest leaves to get a few brown tips as the season progresses. You should worry if the new growth is coming in brown or crispy.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain a steady moisture level in the soil and avoid overfeeding your plant.
Lesser burdock: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your lesser burdock 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
- Should I trim off the brown tips?
- You can trim them for looks, but use clean scissors. Don't cut into the healthy green tissue, just the brown part.
- Is my tap water causing this?
- It is possible if your water is very hard or has high chlorine. Let your water sit out in a bucket for 24 hours before using it.
More problems with Lesser burdock
- Why does my Lesser burdock have white spots on its leaves?
- Why is my Lesser burdock drooping?
- Why is my lesser burdock looking so leggy?
- Why are my lesser burdock leaves turning yellow?
- What are these pests on my lesser burdock?
- Why is my lesser burdock showing signs of root rot?
- Why are my lesser burdock leaves curling?
Back to the Lesser burdock 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.