Should I cut the brown tips off?

Yes, you can trim them with clean scissors. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.

Will the brown tips turn green again?

No, once a leaf tip turns brown, it will not recover. Focus on preventing new growth from browning.

Corn Plant: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Test your water source by switching to distilled water.
Check the humidity levels in your room.
Inspect the leaves for signs of pests that might mimic tip burn.

Likely causes

Fluoride sensitivity
Most likely
How to tell: The tips turn brown and crispy while the rest of the leaf stays green. This is a reaction to minerals found in standard tap water.
What to do: Switch to distilled, filtered, or rainwater for your next few waterings. If the browning stops spreading, you have found the culprit.
Low humidity
Possible
How to tell: The leaves feel dry and brittle, especially during winter when heaters are running. The tips will brown slowly over time.
What to do: Place your plant on a pebble tray filled with water to increase local moisture. You can also mist the leaves occasionally or move the plant away from direct air vents.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your corn plant

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 not a life threatening issue, but it does affect the look of the plant. If the brown area starts moving down the entire leaf, you should investigate further.

Stopping it coming back

Use filtered water and keep the plant away from dry air drafts to keep the tips green.

Corn Plant: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your corn plant 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 cut the brown tips off?: Yes, you can trim them with clean scissors. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
Will the brown tips turn green again?: No, once a leaf tip turns brown, it will not recover. Focus on preventing new growth from browning.

Why are my Corn Plant's leaf tips turning brown?