Should I trim the brown tips off?

Yes, you can trim the brown parts with clean scissors for a tidier look. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.

Misting provides only temporary relief and can encourage fungal issues if the leaves stay wet. A pebble tray is a much safer and more effective option.

Purple cyclamen: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check the humidity level in your room.
Inspect the soil surface for white mineral deposits.
Feel the leaf tips to see if they are dry and brittle.

Likely causes

Low Humidity
Possible
How to tell: The leaf edges turn crisp and brown while the rest of the foliage stays green. This often happens in winter when indoor heating dries out the air.
What to do: Place your plant on a tray filled with pebbles and water to boost local humidity. Keep the pot sitting above the water line so the roots do not soak.
Mineral Buildup
Possible
How to tell: You might see a white crust on the soil surface or the rim of the pot. The tips turn brown because the plant is struggling with high salt or chlorine levels in tap water.
What to do: Switch to using filtered or rainwater for your next few waterings. Flush the soil thoroughly with clean water to help wash away accumulated salts.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your purple cyclamen

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 browning spreads rapidly toward the center of the leaves. A single old leaf turning brown is just a normal part of the plant life cycle.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your cyclamen away from direct heat sources like radiators or vents. Use room temperature water to avoid shocking the plant.

Purple cyclamen: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your purple cyclamen 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

Should I trim the brown tips off?: Yes, you can trim the brown parts with clean scissors for a tidier look. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
Does misting help?: Misting provides only temporary relief and can encourage fungal issues if the leaves stay wet. A pebble tray is a much safer and more effective option.

Guides to these causes

Salt Stress

Why are my Cyclamen purpurascens leaves getting brown tips?