Should I trim the brown tips off?

You can trim them for aesthetic reasons using clean scissors. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.

How often should I check the water level?

Check it daily, especially during hot weather. The plant should always have access to moisture.

Hare's tail cottongrass: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Touch the soil to see if it is damp or dry.
Check the water level in your container.
Look for white mineral deposits on the pot or soil.

Likely causes

Drying out
Most likely
How to tell: The soil surface feels dry to the touch and the tips of the leaves are brittle. This happens quickly if the water level drops too low.
What to do: Increase your watering frequency to ensure the soil stays constantly moist. Never let the soil dry out completely, even for a day.
Mineral buildup
Possible
How to tell: You see a white, crusty residue on the soil surface or the rim of the pot. This is caused by salts in tap water.
What to do: Switch to using rainwater or distilled water for your plant. Flush the soil thoroughly with clean water to wash away excess mineral salts.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your hare's tail cottongrass

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 common as leaves age, but if the browning is spreading rapidly, your plant is stressed. It is normal for the oldest, lowest leaves to brown as the plant grows.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the soil consistently moist and use rainwater whenever possible to avoid mineral accumulation.

Hare's tail cottongrass: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your hare's tail cottongrass 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

Should I trim the brown tips off?: You can trim them for aesthetic reasons using clean scissors. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
How often should I check the water level?: Check it daily, especially during hot weather. The plant should always have access to moisture.

Guides to these causes

Salt Stress

Why are my Hare's tail cottongrass tips turning brown?