Skip to content

Sticky mouse-ear chickweed · Cerastium glomeratum

Why are the tips of my Cerastium glomeratum leaves turning brown?

It is less common for this plant to develop brown tips, which usually points to low humidity or mineral buildup in the soil. Check your water source and the surrounding air moisture first.

Not sure it's this? Check a photo of your plant for free

Check these first

  1. Check if the air around the plant feels very dry.
  2. Look for white crusty deposits on the soil surface.
  3. Feel the brown tips to see if they are crispy or soft.

Likely causes

  1. Low Humidity

    Most likely

    How to tell: The very tips of the leaves become dry, crispy, and brown while the rest of the leaf looks healthy. This is common if the air inside your home is very dry.

    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 from getting too dry.

  2. Mineral Buildup

    Possible

    How to tell: The tips turn brown and you might see a white, crusty layer on the surface of the soil. This happens when using tap water with high mineral content over a long period.

    What to do: Flush the soil by running clean, filtered water through the pot for a few minutes to wash out excess salts. In the future, try using rainwater or distilled water to water your plant.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your sticky mouse-ear chickweed

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.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

When to worry

It is normal for the tips to brown slightly if the plant has been exposed to a draft or a sudden change in temperature. Worry if the browning starts moving down the leaf toward the stem.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the plant away from heating vents or air conditioning drafts. Use filtered water if your tap water is very hard.

Sticky mouse-ear chickweed: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your sticky mouse-ear chickweed 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.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Should I trim the brown tips?
Yes, you can trim the brown parts off with clean scissors for a tidier look. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
Does this plant flower?
Yes, this plant produces small white flowers in the spring and summer. It needs full, direct sun to bloom properly.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Sticky mouse-ear chickweed

Back to the Sticky mouse-ear chickweed 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.