Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check if the soil is dry deeper than one inch.
- Measure the humidity levels in the room.
- Look for drafts from air conditioners or heaters.
Likely causes
Low humidity
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips turn brown and crispy while the rest of the leaf looks healthy. This is common in dry indoor environments.
What to do: Mist the leaves daily or place a tray of water and pebbles near the base of the tree. Grouping it with other plants can also help create a humid microclimate.
Underwatering
PossibleHow to tell: The soil feels bone dry and the tips of the leaves are brittle. The edges may also curl inward.
What to do: Water the tree deeply until water runs out of the drainage holes. Ensure you are watering every 3 to 7 days depending on the heat.
Find out what's wrong with your wild jack
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
A few brown tips are common and not a major health threat. Worry if the browning spreads to more than half of the leaf surface.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the soil consistently moist and increase ambient humidity during dry months.
Wild Jack: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your wild jack 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
- Will the brown tips turn green again?
- No, the brown parts are dead tissue and will not recover. You can trim them off with scissors for a cleaner look.
- Does tap water cause brown tips?
- Sometimes, if your water is high in salts or chlorine. Try using filtered water for a few weeks to see if it helps.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Wild Jack
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.