Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check if the plant is near a heat source.
- Look at the soil surface for white mineral deposits.
- Feel the air around the plant to see if it feels very dry.
Likely causes
Low Humidity
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips are crispy and brown, especially if the plant is near a heater.
What to do: Move the plant away from drafts or heating vents. You can place a pebble tray with water nearby to increase local humidity.
Mineral Buildup
PossibleHow to tell: The brown tips appear gradually and the soil surface has a white crust.
What to do: Flush the soil with distilled water to wash away excess salts. Switch to using filtered water for future waterings.
Find out what's wrong with your lords and ladies
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
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When to worry
Brown tips are usually cosmetic and not a threat to the plant's life. Worry only if the browning starts spreading rapidly toward the center of the leaf.
Stopping it coming back
Use filtered water and keep the plant away from dry air sources like vents.
Lords and Ladies: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your lords and ladies 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 the brown tips?
- Yes, you can trim the brown parts with clean scissors. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
- Is my tap water the problem?
- It might be if your water is very hard. Try using rainwater or filtered water to see if the browning stops.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Lords and Ladies
- Why are there spots on my Arum maculatum leaves?
- Why are my Lords and Ladies leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my Lords and Ladies drooping?
- Why is my Arum maculatum dropping its leaves?
- Why won't my Arum maculatum bloom?
- Why is my Arum maculatum rotting at the base?
- Why is my Arum maculatum looking thin and stretched?
Back to the Lords and Ladies 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.