Should I cut off the brown tips?

You can trim them for aesthetic reasons, but leave a tiny sliver of brown so you do not damage the healthy green tissue.

Is my Pothos dying if it has brown tips?

No, it is likely just reacting to its environment. It will continue to grow fine once the conditions improve.

Golden Pothos: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check if the air near the plant is very dry.
Look for white crust on the soil surface.
Feel if the brown tips are crispy or soft.

Likely causes

Low Humidity
Possible
How to tell: The tips turn crispy and brown while the rest of the leaf remains green. This often happens in winter when heaters are running.
What to do: Group your plants together to create a more humid microclimate. You can also place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and a little water.
Mineral Buildup
Possible
How to tell: This is less common for this plant, and usually happens if you use hard tap water with high salt content. You might see a white crust on the soil surface.
What to do: Flush the soil with filtered water to wash out excess salts. Consider using rainwater or distilled water for your next few waterings.

Find out what's wrong with your golden pothos

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

If the brown spots are spreading rapidly or turning mushy, you may have a fungal issue. It is normal for the very oldest leaves to develop small brown tips as they age.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the plant away from direct drafts from air vents or heaters. Use filtered water if your tap water is very hard.

Keep your golden pothos healthy from here

Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Should I cut off the brown tips?: You can trim them for aesthetic reasons, but leave a tiny sliver of brown so you do not damage the healthy green tissue.
Is my Pothos dying if it has brown tips?: No, it is likely just reacting to its environment. It will continue to grow fine once the conditions improve.

Why are the tips of my Pothos leaves turning brown?