Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Test your water source to ensure it is below 50 ppm of dissolved solids.
- Check if the soil is staying consistently damp.
- Move the plant away from direct air vents or heaters.
Likely causes
Mineral Buildup
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips turn brown and crispy while the rest of the leaf remains green. This happens when you use tap water containing chlorine or high minerals.
What to do: Switch immediately to distilled, reverse osmosis, or rainwater. Flush the soil thoroughly with pure water to wash away accumulated salts.
Low Humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The leaves dry out from the tips inward, especially if the air is very dry. This is common in homes with central heating or air conditioning.
What to do: Place the plant in a tray of water to keep the immediate area humid. You can also group it with other plants or use a pebble tray to increase local moisture.
When to worry
It is normal for the very oldest leaves to brown as they die back. Be concerned if the browning is spreading to the new, center growth.
Stopping it coming back
Always use distilled or rainwater and keep the soil moist at all times. Avoid letting the tray dry out completely between waterings.
Not sure which one it is? Photograph your cape sundew.
This page lists the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at your actual leaf and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
Questions people ask
- Should I trim the brown tips off?
- You can trim them with clean scissors if they look unsightly. It will not hurt the plant.
- Is my plant dying if the tips are brown?
- Not necessarily. It is usually a sign of stress that can be fixed by changing your water or humidity levels.
More problems with Cape sundew
This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.