Should I trim the brown tips off?

You can trim the brown parts for aesthetics, but be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue. Use clean scissors to snip just the dead portion.

Does humidity cause brown tips?

Spear saltbush is generally tolerant of standard home humidity. Brown tips are almost always related to soil moisture or water quality rather than air dryness.

Spear saltbush: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Feel the top inch of soil to check for dryness.
Look for white crusty deposits on the soil surface.
Check the drainage holes to ensure water is flowing through.

Likely causes

Inconsistent watering
Possible
How to tell: The soil feels bone dry to the touch, and the leaves may feel brittle or crispy. The browning starts at the very edges and works its way inward.
What to do: Water your plant thoroughly every 5 to 10 days, ensuring the soil stays consistently moist. Use a watering can to soak the soil until water drains from the bottom of the pot.
Mineral buildup
Possible
How to tell: It is less common for this plant, but high salt content in tap water can cause tip burn. You might see a white crust forming on the surface of the soil.
What to do: Flush the soil by running plain, filtered water through the pot for several minutes to wash away excess salts. Switch to using rainwater or distilled water for your next few waterings.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your spear saltbush

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.

When to worry

Brown tips are rarely fatal, but they indicate the plant is stressed. If the browning spreads rapidly to the entire leaf, check the roots for signs of rot.

Stopping it coming back

Maintain a steady watering schedule and flush the soil occasionally to prevent mineral accumulation.

Spear saltbush: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your spear saltbush 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.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Should I trim the brown tips off?: You can trim the brown parts for aesthetics, but be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue. Use clean scissors to snip just the dead portion.
Does humidity cause brown tips?: Spear saltbush is generally tolerant of standard home humidity. Brown tips are almost always related to soil moisture or water quality rather than air dryness.

Guides to these causes

Salt Stress

Why are my Spear saltbush leaf tips turning brown?