Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check if the air near the plant is very dry from a heater.
- Review how often you are applying fertilizer.
- Feel the leaf tips to see if they are crispy or soft.
Likely causes
Low Humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The tips become dry and crispy while the rest of the leaf remains healthy.
What to do: Group your plant with others to create a humid microclimate. You can also place a tray of pebbles and water near the pot to increase moisture in the air.
Fertilizer Burn
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn brown and brittle after you have recently fed the plant.
What to do: Flush the soil with plenty of distilled water to wash away excess salts. Avoid fertilizing during the winter months when the plant is resting.
Find out what's wrong with your kaffir lily
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
A few brown tips are usually just a cosmetic issue. Worry if the brown patches start spreading rapidly toward the center of the leaf.
Stopping it coming back
Use filtered or rainwater to avoid mineral buildup and keep the plant away from direct air vents.
Keep your kaffir lily 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
- Can I trim the brown tips?
- You can trim the brown parts off with clean scissors. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
- Does tap water hurt Clivias?
- Some tap water contains high levels of salts or chlorine that can cause tip burn over time. Using filtered water is a great way to prevent this.
More problems with Kaffir Lily
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.