Skip to content
Pocket Botanist
Get the app

Whitemouth dayflower · Commelina erecta

Why are my Commelina erecta leaf tips turning brown?

Brown tips are less common for this plant and typically happen when the air is too dry or the plant is not getting enough water. Check the soil moisture first to see if the plant is drying out between waterings.

Not sure it's this? Check a photo of your plant for free

Check these first

  1. Feel the soil to see if it is dry.
  2. Check the humidity levels in your room.
  3. Look for drafts from air vents or heaters.

Likely causes

  1. Low Humidity

    Most likely

    How to tell: The tips of the leaves become crispy and brown while the rest of the leaf remains green.

    What to do: Group your plants together to create a more humid microclimate. You can also place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and a little water.

  2. Underwatering

    Possible

    How to tell: The soil feels bone dry and the leaves start to droop or curl along with the brown tips.

    What to do: Water the plant thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes. Stick to a schedule of checking the soil every 3 to 7 days.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your whitemouth dayflower

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.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

When to worry

It is only a major issue if the browning continues to move inward toward the center of the leaf. Minor tip browning is often just a reaction to indoor air conditions.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy and avoid placing the plant directly in front of heating or cooling vents.

Whitemouth dayflower: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your whitemouth dayflower 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.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Will the brown tips turn green again?
No, the brown parts are dead tissue and will not recover. You can trim the brown tips off with scissors if you do not like how they look.
Does tap water cause brown tips?
Sometimes the minerals in tap water can build up and cause tip burn. If you suspect this, try using filtered or rainwater for a few weeks.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Whitemouth dayflower

Back to the Whitemouth dayflower 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.