Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check if the air near the plant is very dry.
- Look at your water source to see if it is high in minerals.
- Ensure you are not letting the soil dry out too much.
Likely causes
Low Humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The leaf tips turn crisp and brown while the rest of the leaf remains green. This often happens in homes with forced air heating.
What to do: Group your plants together to create a more humid microclimate. You can also place a small humidifier nearby to keep the air moist.
Mineral Buildup
PossibleHow to tell: This is less common for this plant, which usually happens when using hard tap water with high salt or chlorine content. The tips brown slowly over time.
What to do: Switch to filtered or distilled water for your plants. Flush the soil with fresh water once a month to wash out accumulated salts.
Find out what's wrong with your wavy bittercress
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 serious if the browning spreads to the whole leaf. It is normal for the very oldest leaves to show some wear as they age.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain steady moisture levels and keep the plant away from direct air vents.
Wavy bittercress: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your wavy bittercress 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?
- You can trim them with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons, but be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
- Does this plant flower?
- Yes, Wavy bittercress produces small white flowers. To help it bloom, ensure it gets enough bright, indirect light and consistent moisture.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Wavy bittercress
Back to the Wavy bittercress 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.