Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the soil moisture two inches down.
- Inspect the base of the plant for dry soil patches.
- Observe if the browning is spreading from the tips downward.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil feels bone dry and the tips are crispy and brittle.
What to do: Water the plant deeply until moisture runs out of the drainage holes. Maintain a schedule of watering every 7 to 14 days during the growing season.
Low Humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn brown even though the soil feels slightly damp.
What to do: Ensure the grass is planted in an area with good air circulation. Avoid placing it near heat vents that dry out the surrounding air.
Find out what's wrong with your feather reed grass
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
It is normal for older blades to brown slightly as the season ends. Worry if the entire clump starts turning brown during mid summer.
Stopping it coming back
Keep a consistent watering schedule and ensure the soil stays slightly moist during the peak growing months.
Feather reed grass: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your feather reed grass 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
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Questions people ask
- Should I trim the brown tips off?
- Yes, you can trim the brown tips with clean scissors to keep the plant looking tidy. It will not hurt the grass.
- Does this mean my plant is dying?
- Usually no, it just means the plant is stressed by its environment. Adjusting your watering habits often fixes the issue.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Feather reed grass
Back to the Feather reed grass guide
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.