Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the water level in the tray.
- Feel the soil to ensure it is saturated.
- Check if the plant is near a heater or vent.
Likely causes
Drying Out
Most likelyHow to tell: The very tips of the stems turn crisp and brown. This happens if the soil dries out completely even for a short period.
What to do: Ensure the pot stays in a shallow tray of water at all times. Never let the soil surface feel dry to the touch.
Low Humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The tips brown slowly over time, especially in indoor environments with heating or air conditioning. The stems may feel brittle.
What to do: Mist the plant daily or place it near a humidifier. Keeping the pot in a water tray also helps increase the local humidity around the stems.
Find out what's wrong with your marsh horsetail
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
Brown tips are a warning sign that your watering routine is not consistent enough. It is not fatal, but it indicates the plant is struggling to stay hydrated.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the soil constantly saturated and maintain a humid environment.
Marsh horsetail: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your marsh horsetail 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
- Can I trim the brown tips?
- You can trim them for aesthetic reasons. Use clean scissors and cut just above the green part of the stem.
- How deep should the water tray be?
- Keep about 1 to 2 inches of water in the tray. This ensures the roots stay consistently wet.
More problems with marsh horsetail
Back to the marsh horsetail 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.