Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check if the soil is bone dry several inches down.
- Examine the soil surface for white mineral deposits.
- Observe if the browning is happening during a heatwave.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips turn brown and crispy while the rest of the leaf looks dull. This often happens during prolonged hot, dry weather.
What to do: Give the plant a deep soak to ensure water reaches the root zone. Aim to water every 7 to 10 days during the peak of summer.
Salt buildup
PossibleHow to tell: Brown tips appear even when the soil seems adequately moist. You might see a white crust on the soil surface.
What to do: Flush the soil with a large volume of water to wash away accumulated salts. Avoid using chemical fertilizers near the base of the plant.
Find out what's wrong with your purple pampas grass
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
It is normal for older, lower leaves to develop brown tips as they age. Worry only if the browning is spreading rapidly across the entire plant.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain a consistent watering schedule and apply a layer of mulch to help the soil retain moisture.
Purple pampas grass: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your purple pampas grass 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.
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Questions people ask
- Should I trim the brown tips off?
- Yes, you can trim the brown tips with clean shears to improve the look of the plant. It will not harm the grass.
- Is my plant dying if the tips are brown?
- Not necessarily. Brown tips are a common reaction to environmental stress and the plant will usually recover with proper care.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Purple pampas grass
Back to the Purple pampas grass 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.