Can I cut off the brown tips?

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

Will the brown tips turn green again?

No, once the leaf tissue has turned brown and crispy, it will not recover its color. Focus on preventing new growth from browning.

Dragon Tree: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check if you are using tap water to hydrate the plant.
Feel the air around the plant to see if it feels very dry.
Examine the leaves to see if the browning is only on the very tips.

Likely causes

Fluoride Sensitivity
Most likely
How to tell: The tips turn brown and crispy while the rest of the leaf remains green. This happens gradually over time.
What to do: Switch to using distilled, filtered, or rainwater for your plant. Tap water often contains fluoride or chlorine that causes this reaction in Dracaenas.
Low Humidity
Possible
How to tell: The tips are dry and brittle, especially during winter when indoor heating is running. The edges of the leaves may also curl slightly.
What to do: Place the plant on a tray filled with pebbles and water to increase local humidity. You can also use a humidifier in the room to keep the air from getting too dry.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your dragon tree

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

Brown tips are usually a cosmetic issue rather than a sign of a dying plant. You only need to worry if the brown patches start spreading rapidly toward the center of the leaf.

Stopping it coming back

Use non-tap water consistently and keep the plant away from direct drafts from heaters or air conditioners. Trimming the brown tips with clean scissors can help the plant look better.

Dragon Tree: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your dragon tree 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

Can I cut off the brown tips?: Yes, you can trim the brown parts off with clean scissors. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
Will the brown tips turn green again?: No, once the leaf tissue has turned brown and crispy, it will not recover its color. Focus on preventing new growth from browning.

Why are my Dragon Tree's leaf tips turning brown?