Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Feel the soil to see if it is bone dry.
- Check if the plant is near a heater or AC vent.
- Look for signs of crispy leaf edges.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves feel crispy and dry to the touch. The soil pulls away from the edges of the pot.
What to do: Water the plant deeply until water runs out of the drainage holes. Maintain a consistent schedule of every 7 to 14 days.
Low humidity
PossibleHow to tell: Tips turn brown even when the soil is moist. This often happens in dry indoor air or during heat waves.
What to do: Move the plant to a spot with better air circulation. Avoid placing it directly in front of heating vents or air conditioners.
Find out what's wrong with your eucalyptus
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 rarely fatal but indicate the plant is unhappy. If the browning spreads to the whole leaf, it is a sign of chronic stress.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the soil moisture consistent and avoid extreme temperature fluctuations. Ensure the plant receives plenty of direct sunlight.
Eucalyptus: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your eucalyptus 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
- Should I trim the brown tips off?
- You can trim them for aesthetic reasons, but be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue. Use clean, sharp scissors.
- Is my plant getting too much sun?
- Eucalyptus loves full sun, so it is rarely the cause of brown tips. Focus on watering consistency instead.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Eucalyptus
- Why are there holes in my eucalyptus leaves?
- Why is my eucalyptus looking sick and wilting?
- Why is my eucalyptus plant growing so leggy?
- Why are my eucalyptus leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my eucalyptus plant drooping?
- Why is my eucalyptus losing its leaves?
- Why are there spots on my eucalyptus leaves?
- Why are my eucalyptus leaves curling?
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.