Can I trim the brown tips off?

Yes, you can trim them with clean scissors. Just be sure to leave a tiny sliver of brown so you do not cut into the healthy green tissue.

Will the brown tips turn green again?

No, once leaf tissue turns brown and dies, it cannot recover. Focus on preventing the browning from spreading to the rest of the foliage.

Bicolor Song of India: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check if you are using tap water.
Feel the air around the plant to see if it feels dry.
Inspect the soil to ensure it is not bone dry.

Likely causes

Fluoride sensitivity
Most likely
How to tell: The tips turn brown and crisp while the rest of the leaf remains green. This happens because Dracaena are sensitive to chemicals like fluoride found in city water.
What to do: Switch to using distilled water, rainwater, or filtered water for your plant. Avoid using softened water, as the salt content can also cause damage.
Low humidity
Possible
How to tell: The edges of the leaves look dry and brittle, especially during winter when indoor heating is on. The plant prefers humidity levels above 40 percent.
What to do: Place your plant on a pebble tray filled with water to increase local humidity. You can also group it with other plants or use a humidifier nearby.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your bicolor song of india

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

It is normal for the oldest bottom leaves to eventually brown and drop off as the plant grows. Worry only if the browning is spreading rapidly across new growth.

Stopping it coming back

Use filtered water consistently and keep the plant away from direct heating or cooling vents.

Bicolor Song of India: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your bicolor song of india 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.

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Questions people ask

Can I trim the brown tips off?: Yes, you can trim them with clean scissors. Just be sure to leave a tiny sliver of brown so you do not cut into the healthy green tissue.
Will the brown tips turn green again?: No, once leaf tissue turns brown and dies, it cannot recover. Focus on preventing the browning from spreading to the rest of the foliage.

Why are my Bicolor Song of India's leaf tips turning brown?