Can I trim the brown tips off?

You can trim the brown parts with clean scissors. Try to follow the natural shape of the leaf so it looks natural.

Will the brown tips turn green again?

No, the brown tissue is dead and will not recover. Focus on preventing the brown spots from spreading to the rest of the leaf.

Smooth hawksbeard: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check if the soil is bone dry.
Feel the texture of the brown tips to see if they are crispy.
Verify the plant is not sitting directly in the path of a heater vent.

Likely causes

Underwatering
Most likely
How to tell: The leaf tips turn crispy and brown, and the edges feel dry and brittle. The soil pulls away from the sides of the pot and feels very dry to the touch.
What to do: Water the plant thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes. Maintain a schedule where you water every 5 to 10 days, or whenever the top inch of soil is dry.
Low Humidity
Possible
How to tell: It is less common for this plant to react to humidity, but very dry indoor air can cause tips to brown. The rest of the leaf looks healthy, but the very ends are dry and brown.
What to do: Group your plant with others to create a microclimate. You can also place a small tray of water and pebbles near the base to increase local humidity.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your smooth hawksbeard

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

Worry if the brown patches start moving inward toward the center of the leaf. It is normal for the tips to brown slightly if the plant has been moved to a new environment.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the soil moisture consistent by checking it every 5 days. Avoid placing the plant near air conditioning or heating vents that dry out the air.

Smooth hawksbeard: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your smooth hawksbeard 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

Can I trim the brown tips off?: You can trim the brown parts with clean scissors. Try to follow the natural shape of the leaf so it looks natural.
Will the brown tips turn green again?: No, the brown tissue is dead and will not recover. Focus on preventing the brown spots from spreading to the rest of the leaf.

Guides to these causes

Dehydration

Why are the tips of my smooth hawksbeard leaves turning brown?