Should I trim off the brown tips?

Yes, you can trim them off with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.

Does tap water cause brown tips?

Sometimes, if your water is very high in salts or minerals, it can cause tip burn. Try using filtered water if the problem persists.

Mirror Bush: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Feel the top inch of soil to see if it is dry.
Check the air around the plant for drafts or heating vents.
Inspect the leaves for any signs of pests.

Likely causes

Low Humidity
Possible
How to tell: The tips turn crisp and brown while the rest of the leaf stays green. This often happens in dry indoor air during winter.
What to do: Mist the foliage with water every few days to increase local humidity. You can also place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water to create a humid microclimate.
Underwatering
Possible
How to tell: The soil feels bone dry and the leaves start to lose their glossy sheen. The brown tips will feel brittle to the touch.
What to do: Water the plant thoroughly until liquid drains from the bottom of the pot. Ensure you are watering every 7 to 14 days when the top inch of soil feels dry.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your mirror bush

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.

When to worry

If the brown tips are spreading rapidly across the entire leaf, your plant is likely suffering from severe dehydration. A few dry tips on older leaves are normal as the plant ages.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy and keep the plant away from direct heat sources.

Mirror Bush: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your mirror bush 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.

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

Questions people ask

Should I trim off the brown tips?: Yes, you can trim them off with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
Does tap water cause brown tips?: Sometimes, if your water is very high in salts or minerals, it can cause tip burn. Try using filtered water if the problem persists.

Guides to these causes

Dehydration

Why are my Mirror Bush leaves getting brown tips?