Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Feel the tips to see if they are dry or mushy.
- Check if your home air is very dry from heating.
- Examine the soil for a white crust on the surface.
Likely causes
Low Humidity
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips turn crisp and dry while the rest of the leaf remains green. This is common in homes with central heating or air conditioning.
What to do: Group your plant with others to create a microclimate. You can also place a tray of pebbles and water beneath the pot to increase local humidity.
Mineral Buildup
PossibleHow to tell: Brown tips appear even when the soil feels moist. This happens when salts from tap water accumulate in the potting mix.
What to do: Flush the soil thoroughly with distilled or filtered water to wash out excess salts. In the future, try using rainwater or filtered water for your regular watering.
Find out what's wrong with your cast iron plant
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
A few brown tips are normal for older leaves, but if they are spreading rapidly, you need to adjust your environment.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the plant away from direct air vents and use filtered water to prevent salt buildup.
Cast iron plant: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your cast iron plant 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 off?
- Yes, you can trim them for aesthetic reasons. Use clean, sharp scissors and follow the natural shape of the leaf tip.
- Will the brown tips turn green again?
- No, the damaged tissue is dead and will not recover. Focus on preventing new growth from developing the same issue.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Cast iron plant
- Why are my Cast Iron Plant leaves turning yellow?
- How do I know if my Cast Iron Plant has root rot?
- Why are there spots on my Cast Iron plant leaves?
- How do I get rid of pests on my Cast Iron plant?
- Why is my Cast Iron plant drooping?
- Why is my cast iron plant looking leggy?
- Why are my cast iron plant's leaves curling?
Back to the Cast iron plant 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.