Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Touch the trunk to see if it feels dry.
- Check the soil moisture two inches down.
- Observe the air circulation around the plant.
Likely causes
Low Humidity
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips turn crisp and brown while the rest of the frond looks healthy. This happens often in heated indoor spaces or during dry summer spells.
What to do: Mist the trunk daily with water. You can also place the fern in a naturally humid spot like a sheltered patio or bathroom.
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The entire frond may start to feel brittle and the trunk feels dry to the touch. The plant needs consistent moisture to transport water to the tips.
What to do: Water the trunk directly every 2 to 4 days. Ensure the soil remains moist but not waterlogged.
Find out what's wrong with your soft tree fern
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
It is normal for the oldest bottom fronds to brown as they age. Worry only if the new growth is showing brown tips.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the trunk consistently moist throughout the growing season to ensure steady water delivery to the fronds.
Soft Tree Fern: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your soft tree fern 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 for aesthetic reasons. Use clean, sharp scissors and cut just above the healthy green tissue.
- Does my fern need a pebble tray?
- A pebble tray helps slightly, but misting the trunk is much more effective for a tree fern.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Soft Tree Fern
- What are these bumps on my soft tree fern's fronds?
- Why is my soft tree fern drooping?
- Why are my Dicksonia antarctica fronds turning yellow?
- Why is my tree fern dropping its fronds?
- Why are there spots on my Dicksonia antarctica?
- Why is my Dicksonia antarctica showing signs of root rot?
- Why is my soft tree fern looking leggy?
- Why are my Dicksonia antarctica fronds curling?
Back to the Soft Tree Fern guide
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.