Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Feel the soil to ensure it is not bone dry.
- Check the air humidity levels in the room.
- Test your water source for mineral content.
Likely causes
Low Humidity
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips turn crisp and brown while the rest of the leaf remains green. This happens because the air is too dry for this tropical plant.
What to do: Group your plant with others to create a microclimate or place it on a pebble tray filled with water. You can also run a humidifier nearby to keep levels above 50 percent.
Tap Water Sensitivity
PossibleHow to tell: The tips brown slowly over time despite consistent watering. This is often a reaction to fluoride or chlorine found in municipal water supplies.
What to do: Switch to filtered, distilled, or rainwater for your next few waterings. Let tap water sit out for 24 hours before using it to allow some chlorine to evaporate.
Find out what's wrong with your never never 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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
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When to worry
A few brown tips are normal as leaves age, but if new growth is browning, you need to adjust your care routine.
Stopping it coming back
Keep your plant away from heating vents and use filtered water to keep the foliage looking pristine.
Never Never Plant: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your never never 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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Should I trim the brown parts off?
- Yes, you can trim the brown edges with clean scissors. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
- Does misting help with brown tips?
- Misting provides only temporary relief and does not significantly raise humidity. A humidifier is a much more effective solution.
More problems with Never Never Plant
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- How do I fix root rot on my Ctenanthe setosa?
- Why is my Ctenanthe setosa looking leggy and sparse?
Back to the Never Never Plant 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.