Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the top inch of soil with your finger.
- Look for gaps between the soil and the pot edge.
- Assess the location of the plant relative to heat sources.
Likely causes
Inconsistent Watering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil feels completely dry or pulls away from the edges of the pot. The tips turn crispy and brown while the rest of the leaf looks dull.
What to do: Water your chicory every 5 to 10 days when the top inch of soil feels dry. Ensure you soak the soil thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes.
Low Humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The tips brown slowly in a dry indoor environment or during a heatwave. The leaves might feel brittle to the touch.
What to do: Move your plant to a spot with better airflow or group it with other plants to create a microclimate. Avoid placing it directly next to heating vents or radiators.
Find out what's wrong with your chicory
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
Brown tips are rarely fatal but indicate the plant is stressed. If the browning spreads to the entire leaf, the plant may be struggling to recover.
Stopping it coming back
Keep a consistent watering schedule and monitor the soil moisture regularly.
Keep your chicory healthy from here
Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.
Questions people ask
- Should I trim the brown tips off?
- Yes, you can trim them with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just avoid cutting into the healthy green tissue.
- Does tap water cause brown tips?
- Sometimes, if your water is very high in minerals or chlorine, it can cause buildup. If you suspect this, let your water sit out overnight before using it.
More problems with Chicory
- What are these white spots on my chicory leaves?
- Why is my chicory plant drooping?
- Why is my chicory plant wilting and showing root rot?
- Why is my chicory plant growing tall and leggy?
- Why are there bugs on my chicory plant?
- Why are my chicory leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my chicory not flowering?
- Why are my chicory leaves curling?
This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.