Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Feel the soil two inches deep to see if it is dry.
- Check the weather forecast for recent heat spikes.
- Inspect the base of the plant for signs of wilting.
Likely causes
Inconsistent Watering
PossibleHow to tell: The soil feels dry to the touch and the leaf edges look crispy or papery. This happens when the plant does not get enough water during hot, dry spells.
What to do: Water your cabbage deeply every 3 to 7 days to keep the soil consistently moist. Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base to help hold moisture in the ground.
Heat Stress
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn brown during an unexpected heat wave even if the soil is moist. The rest of the plant may look wilted during the hottest part of the day.
What to do: Provide shade with a garden cloth during the peak afternoon sun. Ensure the plant stays well hydrated to help it cope with the high temperatures.
Find out what's wrong with your spring cabbage
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
Worry if the browning spreads rapidly toward the center of the head, as this can lead to rot. Minor tip burn on older outer leaves is normal as the plant matures.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain a steady watering schedule and use mulch to keep the root zone cool and damp.
Keep your spring cabbage healthy from here
Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.
Questions people ask
- Should I cut off the brown tips?
- Yes, you can trim the brown edges with clean scissors to keep the plant tidy. It will not hurt the cabbage.
- Will brown tips ruin the cabbage head?
- Usually not, as long as the browning stays on the outer leaves. If it reaches the heart of the head, the quality will suffer.
More problems with Spring Cabbage
- Why are there holes in my Spring Cabbage leaves?
- Why is my Spring Cabbage stunted and wilting?
- Why are my spring cabbage leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my spring cabbage drooping?
- Why is my spring cabbage growing leggy?
- Why are there spots on my cabbage leaves?
- Why are my cabbage leaves curling?
- Why is my Spring Cabbage bolting instead of heading?
Back to the Spring Cabbage guide
This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.