Should I trim the brown tips off?

Yes, you can trim them for aesthetic reasons. Use clean, sharp scissors and cut just outside the green tissue to avoid further damage.

Will the brown tips turn green again?

No, once the tissue has died and turned brown, it will not recover. Focus on preventing the damage from spreading to new leaves.

Ti Plant: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check if you are using tap water directly from the faucet.
Feel the air around the plant to see if it feels dry.
Inspect the soil to ensure it is not staying too dry for too long.

Likely causes

Fluoride sensitivity
Most likely
How to tell: The tips turn brown and brittle while the rest of the leaf looks healthy. This is a classic reaction to chemicals found in many municipal water supplies.
What to do: Switch to using filtered, distilled, or rainwater for your plant. Letting tap water sit out will not help, because fluoride does not evaporate the way chlorine does.
Low humidity
Most likely
How to tell: The edges of the leaves feel dry and crispy to the touch. This often happens in winter when indoor heating dries out the air.
What to do: Place your plant on a pebble tray filled with water or use a humidifier nearby. Grouping it with other plants can also help create a more humid microclimate.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your ti plant

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

It is normal to see occasional brown tips as leaves age, but if new growth is affected, you should adjust your care routine.

Stopping it coming back

Use filtered water consistently and keep the plant away from direct heating or cooling vents.

Ti Plant: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your ti plant 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 the brown tips off?: Yes, you can trim them for aesthetic reasons. Use clean, sharp scissors and cut just outside the green tissue to avoid further damage.
Will the brown tips turn green again?: No, once the tissue has died and turned brown, it will not recover. Focus on preventing the damage from spreading to new leaves.

Why are my Ti Plant's leaf tips turning brown?