Does tap water cause brown tips?

Sometimes, the chlorine or minerals in tap water can cause tip burn. Try using filtered or rainwater to see if the condition improves.

Can I trim the brown tips off?

You can trim the brown parts with clean scissors, but be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue. This is mostly for aesthetic reasons.

Cannonball tree: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check the soil moisture to see if it has dried out completely.
Observe the air around the tree to see if it feels very dry.
Check if the pot is too small and the roots are becoming crowded.

Likely causes

Inconsistent Watering
Most likely
How to tell: The leaf tips are dry and crispy, and the soil feels very dry to the touch.
What to do: Stick to a strict watering schedule every 2 to 4 days. Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged to prevent the tips from drying out.
Low Humidity
Possible
How to tell: The tips are brown and brittle despite the soil being moist.
What to do: Mist the leaves with water daily or place the tree near a humidifier. 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 cannonball tree

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

Minor browning on the very tips is common in indoor environments. Worry if the brown patches start moving inward toward the center of the leaf or affecting new growth.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the soil consistently moist and increase the ambient humidity around the tree to mimic its natural tropical habitat.

Cannonball tree: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your cannonball tree 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

Does tap water cause brown tips?: Sometimes, the chlorine or minerals in tap water can cause tip burn. Try using filtered or rainwater to see if the condition improves.
Can I trim the brown tips off?: You can trim the brown parts with clean scissors, but be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue. This is mostly for aesthetic reasons.

Why are my Cannonball tree's leaf tips turning brown?