Can I trim the brown tips?

You can trim the brown parts with sharp scissors, but try to leave a tiny sliver of brown so you do not cut into healthy green tissue.

Does this plant need a humidifier?

It is not strictly necessary, but it will certainly appreciate the extra moisture if your home is very dry.

Broad-leaved willowherb: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check if the air near the plant feels dry.
Examine the soil surface for white crusty deposits.
Verify that the plant is not sitting directly in a draft.

Likely causes

Low Humidity
Most likely
How to tell: The tips of the leaves become dry, crispy, and brown. This is common during winter when indoor heating dries out the air.
What to do: Group your plants together to create a microclimate or place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water. Mist the foliage lightly in the morning.
Salt Accumulation
Possible
How to tell: Brown tips appear even when the soil is kept moist. This is often caused by mineral buildup from tap water.
What to do: Flush the soil by running room temperature water through the pot for several minutes. Use filtered or rainwater for your next few waterings to see if the condition improves.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your broad-leaved willowherb

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

Minor browning on the very tips is usually just a reaction to dry air. If the brown patches start spreading toward the center of the leaf, take action.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the plant away from heat vents and use filtered water if your tap water is heavily treated.

Broad-leaved willowherb: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your broad-leaved willowherb 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 trim the brown tips?: You can trim the brown parts with sharp scissors, but try to leave a tiny sliver of brown so you do not cut into healthy green tissue.
Does this plant need a humidifier?: It is not strictly necessary, but it will certainly appreciate the extra moisture if your home is very dry.

Guides to these causes

Salt Stress

Why are my Epilobium montanum leaf tips turning brown?

Check these first

Not sure what's wrong with your broad-leaved willowherb?