Should I trim the brown tips off?

You can trim the brown tips with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons, but be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.

Do Wax Begonias flower well?

Yes, they bloom reliably when given bright indirect light. They need consistent light to produce their signature clusters of flowers.

Wax Begonia: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check the humidity levels in your room.
Examine the water you use for high mineral content.
Look for other signs of stress like yellowing edges.

Likely causes

Low Humidity
Possible
How to tell: The tips of the leaves become dry and crispy while the rest of the leaf stays green.
What to do: Group your plants together to create a more humid microclimate. You can also place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water to increase moisture around the leaves.
Mineral Buildup
Possible
How to tell: Brown tips appear even when the soil is kept consistently moist.
What to do: Switch to using filtered or distilled water instead of tap water. Flush the soil with clean water once a month to wash away accumulated salts.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your wax begonia

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

If the brown spots are spreading rapidly across the entire leaf, it could be a fungal issue. It is normal for the very oldest leaves at the bottom of the plant to brown and fall off occasionally.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the plant away from direct drafts from air conditioners or heaters which dry out the air.

Wax Begonia: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your wax begonia 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 tips with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons, but be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
Do Wax Begonias flower well?: Yes, they bloom reliably when given bright indirect light. They need consistent light to produce their signature clusters of flowers.

Guides to these causes

Salt Stress

Why are my Wax Begonia's leaf tips turning brown?