Should I cut off all the brown tips?

You can trim them for appearance, but focus on fixing the root cause first. If the browning is caused by canker, you must prune deeply to remove the infection.

Does low humidity cause brown tips?

Yes, dry indoor air can cause the tips to crisp up. Try placing the plant on a pebble tray with water to increase local humidity.

Why are the tips of my Monterey cypress turning brown?

Check these first

Feel the soil to see if it is bone dry.
Examine the branches for sunken or oozing spots.
Check if the browning is localized to one branch or the whole tree.

Likely causes

Underwatering
Most likely
How to tell: The tips become crispy and brittle to the touch. This happens when the plant cannot pull enough moisture to the ends of its branches.
What to do: Water the plant thoroughly until it drains out the bottom. Maintain a schedule where you water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry.
Cypress Canker
Possible
How to tell: You will notice sunken, discolored lesions on the branches near the browning tips. This fungal infection causes the branch to die back from the tip inward.
What to do: Prune away the affected branches well below the visible lesion. Sterilize your shears with alcohol between cuts to prevent spreading the fungus.

When to worry

If you see sunken lesions on the main trunk or multiple branches, the tree is in serious trouble. Isolated brown tips are usually just a minor watering issue.

Stopping it coming back

Avoid overhead watering to keep foliage dry, and keep the plant healthy with proper hydration to resist fungal infections.

Not sure which one it is? Photograph your blue cypress.

This page lists the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at your actual leaf 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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Questions people ask

Should I cut off all the brown tips?: You can trim them for appearance, but focus on fixing the root cause first. If the browning is caused by canker, you must prune deeply to remove the infection.
Does low humidity cause brown tips?: Yes, dry indoor air can cause the tips to crisp up. Try placing the plant on a pebble tray with water to increase local humidity.