Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check if the soil is bone dry.
- Feel the air around the plant to see if it feels very dry.
- Move the plant away from heat vents or drafty windows.
Likely causes
Low Humidity
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips of the needles turn crisp and brown while the rest of the foliage remains green. This happens most often during winter when indoor heating dries out the air.
What to do: Place your plant on a tray filled with pebbles and water to boost local humidity. You can also mist the foliage lightly every few days.
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The entire plant feels brittle and the soil pulls away from the edges of the pot. The brown tips will appear quickly as the plant dehydrates.
What to do: Soak the root ball thoroughly by placing the pot in a sink of water for 15 minutes. Resume your regular schedule of checking the soil every 3 to 7 days.
Find out what's wrong with your heath
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
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When to worry
Brown tips are a warning sign that the plant is stressed, but it is usually recoverable. If the browning moves down the entire branch, the plant may be too far gone.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain consistent moisture in the soil and keep the plant away from direct heat sources.
Heath: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your heath 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
- Will the brown tips turn green again?
- No, the brown parts are dead tissue and will not recover. You can trim them off for aesthetic reasons.
- Does tap water cause brown tips?
- Sometimes, if your water is very hard or contains high levels of chlorine. Try using filtered or rainwater if you suspect your tap water is the culprit.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Heath
- Why is my Heath plant wilting and the soil staying wet?
- Why are my Erica plant's leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my Erica plant dropping its leaves?
- What are these white spots on my Heath plant leaves?
- Why is my Heath plant looking stretched and thin?
- Why is my Erica plant drooping?
- Why is my Erica not blooming?
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.