Can I trim the brown tips off?

Yes, you can trim the brown part off with sterilized scissors. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.

Is my plant dying if the tips are brown?

Not necessarily, as this is often just a reaction to environmental conditions. Your plant can live a long time with minor tip damage.

Dendrobium Orchid: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check what kind of water you are using for your orchid.
Measure the humidity levels in your growing space.
Look for any signs of pests like scale that might be stressing the plant.

Likely causes

Mineral buildup
Most likely
How to tell: The very tips of the leaves turn brown and crispy while the rest of the leaf remains green. This is often caused by salts or chlorine in tap water.
What to do: Switch to using distilled water, rainwater, or reverse osmosis water. Flush the pot thoroughly with clean water once a month to wash away accumulated salts.
Low humidity
Possible
How to tell: The leaf tips dry out and turn brown because the air is too parched for the plant. This is common in homes during the winter when heaters are running.
What to do: Place your orchid on a humidity tray filled with pebbles and water. Make sure the bottom of the pot sits above the water line to avoid root rot.

Find out what's wrong with your dendrobium orchid

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

A tiny bit of brown on the tip is usually just a cosmetic issue. Worry if the brown area starts spreading rapidly down the leaf or onto the stem.

Stopping it coming back

Use filtered or rainwater and keep the plant away from direct drafts from heaters or air conditioners.

Keep your dendrobium orchid healthy from here

Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Can I trim the brown tips off?: Yes, you can trim the brown part off with sterilized scissors. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
Is my plant dying if the tips are brown?: Not necessarily, as this is often just a reaction to environmental conditions. Your plant can live a long time with minor tip damage.

Why are my Dendrobium orchid's leaf tips turning brown?