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Tarragon · Artemisia dracunculus

Why are my tarragon's leaf tips turning brown?

Brown tips on tarragon are often a sign that the plant is struggling with low humidity or inconsistent watering. Check if the soil has dried out too much between waterings.

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Check these first

  1. Feel the soil to see if it is bone dry.
  2. Check the location to see if it gets too much direct heat.
  3. Inspect the leaves for signs of spider mites.

Likely causes

  1. Underwatering

    Most likely

    How to tell: The tips of the leaves become crispy and brown while the rest of the leaf feels dry. The soil will pull away from the edges of the pot.

    What to do: Water the plant thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes. Maintain a consistent schedule of checking the soil every 5 to 10 days.

  2. Excessive heat

    Possible

    How to tell: This is less common for this plant, usually caused by placing the pot in a spot that gets intense reflected heat from a wall or window. The leaves look scorched and brittle.

    What to do: Move the plant to a location with full sun but better airflow. If the heat is extreme, provide a bit of afternoon shade.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your tarragon

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 brown patches start moving toward the center of the leaf. It is normal for the very tips to brown slightly if the air is very dry during summer.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy and avoid placing the plant in areas with intense, trapped heat.

Tarragon: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your tarragon 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.

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Questions people ask

Can I mist my tarragon to fix brown tips?
Misting does not really help much and can encourage fungal issues. It is better to focus on consistent soil moisture.
Will the brown tips turn green again?
No, the brown parts are dead tissue and will not recover. You can trim them off for aesthetic reasons if you like.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Tarragon

Back to the Tarragon 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.