Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Feel the top inch of soil for dryness.
- Check the air humidity near the plant.
- Inspect the foliage for tiny webbing.
Likely causes
Low Humidity
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips turn crisp and brittle while the rest of the foliage looks dull. This is very common in homes with central heating or air conditioning.
What to do: Mist the plant daily with a spray bottle. You can also place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water to create a humid microclimate.
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil feels bone dry and pulls away from the edges of the pot. The entire plant may start to feel light and crispy.
What to do: Water the plant thoroughly until water drains from the bottom. Ensure you water every 5 to 10 days when the top inch of soil feels slightly dry.
Find out what's wrong with your common asparagus fern
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 to see a few brown tips as older fronds age out. Worry if the browning spreads rapidly across the entire plant.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the plant away from heat vents and drafts to maintain consistent humidity.
Common asparagus fern: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your common asparagus fern 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
- Should I trim the brown tips off?
- Yes, you can snip off the brown parts with clean scissors. It won't hurt the plant, but it helps keep it looking tidy.
- Does tap water cause brown tips?
- Sometimes the minerals in tap water can cause buildup. If your water is very hard, try using filtered or distilled water instead.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Common asparagus fern
Back to the Common asparagus fern 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.