Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the humidity levels in your room.
- Look at the soil surface for white crusty salt deposits.
- Review your recent fertilizing habits.
Likely causes
Low humidity
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips of the leaves become dry and crispy while the rest of the leaf stays green.
What to do: Group your plants together to create a more humid microclimate. You can also place a tray of pebbles and water near the plant.
Fertilizer burn
PossibleHow to tell: The brown tips appear shortly after you have applied fertilizer.
What to do: Flush the soil with plenty of water to wash out excess salts. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength in the future.
Find out what's wrong with your cigar 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
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
Minor browning on the very tips is usually just a sign of environmental stress and is not fatal. Worry if the browning starts to spread toward the center of the leaves.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain steady humidity and flush the soil with fresh water every few months to prevent salt buildup.
Cigar plant: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your cigar 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 cut off the brown tips?
- Yes, you can trim the brown parts with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
- Does this plant bloom if it has brown tips?
- The Cuphea ignea normally flowers in bright light, and minor tip browning usually does not stop it from blooming. Ensure it gets enough light to support those bright orange flowers.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Cigar plant
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.