Should I trim the brown tips off?

Yes, you can trim them for aesthetic reasons. Use clean, sharp scissors and cut just outside the green part of the leaf.

Will the brown tips turn green again?

No, once a leaf tip has turned brown and crispy, it will not turn green again. Focus on preventing the issue from affecting new growth.

Spider Plant: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check if your tap water contains fluoride.
Feel the air around the plant to see if it feels very dry.
Inspect the soil to ensure it is not staying soggy.

Likely causes

Fluoride sensitivity
Most likely
How to tell: The tips of the leaves turn dry and brown while the rest of the leaf remains green. This happens because the plant is sensitive to fluoride and chlorine in tap water.
What to do: Switch to using distilled, filtered, or rainwater for your plant. Continue this for a few weeks to see if new growth stays green and healthy.
Low humidity
Possible
How to tell: The tips become crispy and brown, especially during winter when indoor heating dries out the air. The edges of the leaves may also feel brittle to the touch.
What to do: Group your plant with others to create a humid microclimate. You can also place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water, ensuring the bottom of the pot does not touch the water.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your spider plant

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

It is normal for older leaves to develop small brown tips as they age. Worry only if the browning is spreading rapidly across all the leaves.

Stopping it coming back

Use filtered water consistently and keep the plant away from direct heating vents.

Spider Plant: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your spider plant 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 the brown tips off?: Yes, you can trim them for aesthetic reasons. Use clean, sharp scissors and cut just outside the green part of the leaf.
Will the brown tips turn green again?: No, once a leaf tip has turned brown and crispy, it will not turn green again. Focus on preventing the issue from affecting new growth.

From our journal

Brown tips on spider plant leaves

Why are my spider plant's leaf tips turning brown?