Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check if your tap water contains high levels of fluoride or chlorine.
- Feel the air around the plant to see if it feels very dry.
- Inspect the soil to ensure you are not letting it dry out completely for too long.
Likely causes
Fluoride sensitivity
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips turn crispy and brown while the rest of the leaf remains green. This happens because spider plants are sensitive to chemicals found in standard tap water.
What to do: Switch to distilled, filtered, or rainwater for your next few waterings. If you must use tap water, let it sit out in an open container for 24 hours before using it to allow some chlorine to evaporate. Keep in mind that this does not remove fluoride, so it only helps with chlorine.
Low humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The tips dry out and turn brown, especially during winter when indoor heating is running. The leaves may also feel brittle to the touch.
What to do: Group your plant with others to create a microclimate or place it on a tray filled with pebbles and water. Avoid placing the plant directly in front of heating vents or radiators.
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
It is rarely a sign of a dying plant, but rather a cosmetic issue. You should only worry if the browning starts moving rapidly down the entire leaf toward the base.
Stopping it coming back
Use filtered water consistently and keep the plant away from dry heat sources like 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.
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
- Should I trim the brown tips off?
- Yes, you can trim them with clean scissors. Cut just inside the brown area, leaving a tiny sliver of brown so you do not damage the healthy green tissue.
- Does misting help with brown tips?
- Misting provides only temporary relief and is not very effective. Using a pebble tray or a humidifier is a much better long term solution.
More problems with Spider Plant
- Why are my spider plant's leaves turning yellow?
- How do I know if my spider plant has root rot?
- Why are there bugs on my spider plant?
- Why is my spider plant growing so long and thin?
- Why is my spider plant drooping?
- Why does my spider plant have brown spots on its leaves?
- Why is my spider plant not producing babies or flowers?
- Why are my spider plant leaves curling up?
Back to the Spider Plant 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.