Can I trim the brown tips off?

You can trim the brown parts off with clean scissors. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.

Is this caused by too much sun?

If the plant is in direct, harsh sun, the leaves can get scorched. Move it to a spot with bright, indirect light to see if the browning stops.

Philadelphia fleabane: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check the humidity levels in your room.
Look for white crusty deposits on the soil surface.
Verify that you are not using too much fertilizer.

Likely causes

Low Humidity
Most likely
How to tell: The tips of the leaves become dry, crispy, and brown while the rest of the leaf looks healthy. This is common in dry indoor environments.
What to do: Group your plants together to create a more humid microclimate. You can also place a tray of water and pebbles near the plant to increase moisture in the air.
Mineral Buildup
Possible
How to tell: Brown tips appear even when the soil is moist. You might see a white crust on the surface of the soil from tap water minerals.
What to do: Flush the soil by running lukewarm water through the pot for a few minutes to wash out excess salts. Use filtered or rainwater for future waterings to prevent buildup.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your philadelphia fleabane

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

A few brown tips are usually just a sign of the plant adjusting to its environment. Worry if the brown areas start spreading inward toward the center of the leaf.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the plant away from direct heat sources like vents or radiators. Use filtered water if your tap water is very hard.

Philadelphia fleabane: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your philadelphia fleabane 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 off?: You can trim the brown parts off with clean scissors. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
Is this caused by too much sun?: If the plant is in direct, harsh sun, the leaves can get scorched. Move it to a spot with bright, indirect light to see if the browning stops.

Guides to these causes

Salt Stress

Why are my Philadelphia fleabane leaves getting brown tips?