Should I trim off the brown tips?

You can trim them for aesthetic reasons, but it is not strictly necessary for the health of the plant. Use clean, sharp shears to make the cuts.

Is my plant dying if the tips are brown?

Not necessarily. Brown tips are often a minor stress response that the plant can recover from with proper care.

Littleleaf boxwood: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check if you have applied fertilizer recently.
Inspect the plant for exposure to strong, drying winds.
Test the soil moisture to ensure the plant is not dehydrated.

Likely causes

Fertilizer burn
Most likely
How to tell: The tips of the leaves turn brown and brittle shortly after you apply fertilizer. This occurs when excess salts accumulate in the soil.
What to do: Flush the soil with plenty of water to wash away excess salts. Avoid fertilizing again until the plant shows signs of new, healthy growth.
Winter burn
Possible
How to tell: The tips turn brown during late winter or early spring. This happens when cold, drying winds pull moisture from the leaves faster than the roots can replace it.
What to do: Water the plant deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes. You can also install a burlap screen to protect the plant from harsh winter winds.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your littleleaf boxwood

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

Minor browning after a harsh winter is common and usually grows out. Worry if the browning continues to spread toward the center of the leaf.

Stopping it coming back

Water deeply before the first frost and avoid over fertilizing during the growing season.

Littleleaf boxwood: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your littleleaf boxwood 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 off the brown tips?: You can trim them for aesthetic reasons, but it is not strictly necessary for the health of the plant. Use clean, sharp shears to make the cuts.
Is my plant dying if the tips are brown?: Not necessarily. Brown tips are often a minor stress response that the plant can recover from with proper care.

Guides to these causes

Salt Stress

Why do my Japanese Boxwood leaves have brown tips?