Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check if you are using tap water.
- Feel the air around the plant for dryness.
- Inspect the soil to see if it has been too dry for too long.
Likely causes
Fluoride or mineral sensitivity
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaf tips turn crispy and brown while the rest of the foliage looks healthy. This happens because the plant cannot process the chemicals found in standard tap water.
What to do: Switch to using distilled or filtered water for your plant. You can also collect rainwater to use, which is free of additives.
Low humidity
Most likelyHow to tell: The edges of the leaves become dry and brittle, especially during winter when indoor heating runs. The plant prefers a humid environment to keep its foliage soft.
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 to create a more humid microclimate.
Find out what's wrong with your 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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
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When to worry
A few brown tips are common, but if the browning spreads rapidly toward the center of the leaf, you should adjust your water source immediately.
Stopping it coming back
Use distilled water consistently and keep the plant away from direct heating vents.
Song of India: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your 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.
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 with clean scissors. Just be careful not to cut into the green part of the leaf to avoid further damage.
- Will the brown parts turn green again?
- No, once a leaf tip turns brown and crispy, it will not recover. Focus on preventing new growth from developing the same issue.
More problems with Song of India
- Why are there tiny webs on my Song of India?
- Why is my Song of India's soil smelling bad?
- Why are my Song of India's leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my Dracaena reflexa losing its leaves?
- Why is my Song of India looking so leggy?
- Why is my Song of India drooping?
- Why does my Song of India have spots on its leaves?
- Why are the leaves on my Song of India curling?
Back to the Song of India 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.