Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the soil moisture level.
- Inspect the plant for wind exposure.
- Feel the texture of the brown tips.
Likely causes
Dehydration
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips turn crisp and brown, and the soil feels bone dry to the touch.
What to do: Water deeply every 5 to 10 days, ensuring the water reaches the root zone. Apply a layer of mulch to help the soil retain moisture.
Winter Burn
PossibleHow to tell: Tips turn brown after a cold, windy winter, especially on the side facing the wind.
What to do: Protect the shrub with burlap wrap during harsh winter months. Water the plant well before the ground freezes in late autumn.
Find out what's wrong with your 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.
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When to worry
Minor browning after a harsh winter is common and usually grows out. Worry if the browning continues to move down the entire branch.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the plant well watered throughout the growing season and provide shelter from drying winter winds.
Boxwood: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your 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.
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
- Is my boxwood dying if the tips are brown?
- Not necessarily. It is often just a reaction to environmental stress that can be corrected with better care.
- Does fertilizer cause brown tips?
- Yes, over fertilizing can cause salt buildup that burns the tips. Use fertilizer sparingly and always water well after application.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Boxwood
- Why are my Common Boxwood leaves turning yellow?
- How do I know if my Common Boxwood has pests?
- Why is my boxwood losing its leaves?
- What are these spots on my boxwood leaves?
- Why is my boxwood drooping?
- Why is my boxwood showing signs of root rot?
- Why is my boxwood growing leggy and sparse?
- Why are my boxwood leaves curling?
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.