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Variegated dogwood · Cornus alba 'Elegantissima'

Why are my variegated dogwood leaf tips turning brown?

It is less common for this plant to have brown tips, which usually happens due to dry spells or salt buildup in the soil. Check your watering schedule first to ensure the plant is getting enough hydration.

Check these first

  1. Check if the soil is dry to the touch.
  2. Review your recent fertilizing schedule.
  3. Look for signs of heat stress.

Likely causes

  1. Drought Stress

    Possible

    How to tell: The leaf tips become dry and crispy during hot, dry weather. The rest of the leaf may also start to curl or wilt.

    What to do: Water the plant deeply once every 3 to 7 days during dry spells. Apply a 2 inch layer of mulch around the base to help hold moisture in the soil.

  2. Fertilizer Burn

    Possible

    How to tell: The tips turn brown suddenly after you have applied fertilizer. This is caused by an excess of salts in the root zone.

    What to do: Flush the soil with plenty of water to wash away excess salts. Avoid fertilizing again until the plant shows signs of new, healthy growth.

Find out what's wrong with your variegated dogwood

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

Worry if the browning moves inward toward the center of the leaf. It is normal to see slight browning during extreme heat waves.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the soil evenly moist and avoid over fertilizing during the hottest months.

Keep your variegated dogwood 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.

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Questions people ask

Should I trim off the brown tips?
You can trim them for aesthetic reasons, but be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue. Use clean, sharp scissors.
Does tap water cause brown tips?
Sometimes, if your water is very hard or contains high levels of chlorine, it can cause tip burn. Try using collected rainwater if you suspect this.

More problems with Variegated dogwood

Back to the Variegated dogwood guide

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.