Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Feel the air around the plant to see if it feels dry.
- Check if you are using tap water with high mineral content.
- Look for signs of spider mites which can also cause leaf damage.
Likely causes
Low Humidity
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips turn brown and crispy while the rest of the leaf looks healthy. This is common in dry indoor air.
What to do: Group your plants together to create a humid microclimate. You can also place a humidifier nearby or set the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water.
Tap Water Salts
PossibleHow to tell: Brown tips appear even when the soil is damp. The edges may look slightly burnt.
What to do: Switch to filtered or distilled water for a few weeks. This prevents mineral salts from accumulating in the soil.
Find out what's wrong with your elephant ear
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
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When to worry
Minor brown tips are common in indoor settings and are not usually a threat to the plant. Worry if the browning spreads rapidly toward the center of the leaf.
Stopping it coming back
Mist the leaves occasionally or keep the plant in a naturally humid room like a bathroom. Use filtered water to avoid mineral buildup.
Elephant Ear: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your elephant ear 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
- Can I trim the brown tips?
- You can trim the brown parts off with sharp scissors, but try not to cut into the green tissue.
- Is my plant dying if the tips are brown?
- No, it is likely just reacting to its environment. It should recover with better humidity.
More problems with Elephant Ear
- Why are my Elephant Ear leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my Elephant Ear drooping?
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- Why is my Colocasia looking mushy and sad?
- Why is my Colocasia growing tall and thin?
- Why is my Colocasia dropping its leaves?
- What are these spots on my Elephant Ear leaves?
- Why are my Colocasia leaves curling?
Back to the Elephant Ear 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.