Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check if the soil is damp to the touch.
- Inspect the water level in your container.
- Test your tap water for high mineral content.
Likely causes
Drying out
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil feels dry to the touch and the tips are crispy.
What to do: Keep the soil consistently saturated. Ensure the pot is sitting in at least 1 to 2 inches of water at all times.
Water quality
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn brown even though the soil is wet.
What to do: Switch to rainwater or distilled water if your tap water has high mineral or chlorine content. Flush the soil with fresh water to remove salt buildup.
Find out what's wrong with your common spike rush
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.
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When to worry
It is normal to see a few brown tips as older stems die back. Worry if the browning spreads rapidly down the entire stem.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain a consistent water level and avoid letting the soil surface dry out completely.
Common spike rush: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your common spike rush 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?
- Yes, you can trim them with clean scissors to keep the plant looking tidy. It will not hurt the plant.
- Can I use tap water?
- Most tap water is fine, but if you see persistent browning, your water might be too hard or chlorinated.
More problems with Common spike rush
Back to the Common spike rush 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.