Should I trim off the brown tips?

Yes, you can trim the brown tips with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.

Does tap water cause brown tips?

Sometimes the minerals in tap water can build up in the soil and cause tip burn. If your water is very hard, try using filtered or rainwater.

Evergreen wood fern: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Touch the top inch of soil to see if it is dry.
Check the air humidity levels in the room.
Inspect the fronds for signs of pests that might be stressing the plant.

Likely causes

Low Humidity
Most likely
How to tell: The tips turn crispy and brown while the rest of the frond stays green. This often happens in winter when indoor heating dries out the air.
What to do: Place a pebble tray filled with water under the pot to increase local humidity. You can also mist the fronds with a spray bottle every morning.
Underwatering
Most likely
How to tell: The soil feels bone dry and the entire plant looks slightly wilted. The brown tips will feel brittle to the touch.
What to do: Water your fern thoroughly until water drains from the bottom of the pot. Stick to a schedule where you check the top inch of soil every 3 to 7 days.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your evergreen wood fern

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, lowest fronds to brown and die back as the plant grows. Worry if the new, emerging fronds are showing brown tips.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the soil consistently moist and maintain a humid environment, especially during the dry winter months.

Evergreen wood fern: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your evergreen wood fern 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 trim off the brown tips?: Yes, you can trim the brown tips with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
Does tap water cause brown tips?: Sometimes the minerals in tap water can build up in the soil and cause tip burn. If your water is very hard, try using filtered or rainwater.

Guides to these causes

Dehydration

Why are my Evergreen wood fern's frond tips turning brown?

Check these first

Not sure what's wrong with your evergreen wood fern?