Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Stick your finger an inch into the soil to check for dryness.
- Check the drainage holes to ensure they are not blocked.
- Observe if the plant is near a heat vent or drafty window.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil feels bone dry and the tips turn crispy and brown. This happens when the plant goes longer than 7 days without a drink.
What to do: Water the plant thoroughly until moisture runs out of the drainage holes. Aim to keep the soil evenly moist by checking it every 3 to 5 days.
Low humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The tips brown slowly even when the soil is moist. This is common in dry indoor environments.
What to do: Place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water to boost local humidity. You can also group it with other plants to create a more humid microclimate.
Find out what's wrong with your heath grass
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.
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When to worry
A little browning is normal as leaves age, but if the browning is spreading rapidly, your watering routine needs adjustment.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain a consistent watering schedule and keep the plant away from direct blasts of hot or cold air.
Heath grass: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your heath grass 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 tips off?
- Yes, you can trim them with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green part of the leaf.
- Does tap water cause brown tips?
- Sometimes, if your water is very hard or contains high levels of chlorine. If you suspect this, try using filtered or rainwater.
Guides to these causes
More problems with heath grass
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.