Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Feel the soil to see if it is dry several inches down.
- Check if you have applied fertilizer recently.
- Look at the surrounding soil for white crusty deposits.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips turn crisp and brown while the rest of the leaf may look dull. This happens when the soil stays dry for too long during hot weather.
What to do: Water the plant deeply once a week during dry spells. Ensure the water reaches 6 to 8 inches deep into the soil to hydrate the roots properly.
Fertilizer Burn
PossibleHow to tell: Brown tips appear shortly after you have applied fertilizer. This is caused by an excess of salts in the soil pulling moisture away from the roots.
What to do: Flush the soil by watering heavily for several minutes to wash away excess salts. Avoid fertilizing again until the plant shows signs of new growth.
Find out what's wrong with your burning bush
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.
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When to worry
Worry if the browning spreads rapidly across the entire leaf. It is normal to see slight browning on older leaves at the end of a long, hot summer.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain a consistent watering schedule and apply a layer of mulch to help the soil retain moisture. Use fertilizer sparingly and only during the spring growing season.
Burning bush: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your burning bush 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.
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Questions people ask
- Should I trim off the brown tips?
- You can trim them for looks, but it is not necessary for the health of the plant. Use clean, sharp scissors to avoid damaging the healthy tissue.
- Does my Burning bush need more water in the winter?
- No, the plant is dormant in winter and needs much less water. Only water if the ground is not frozen and there has been no rain for several weeks.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Burning bush
- Why are my burning bush leaves turning yellow?
- Why are there white spots on my burning bush?
- Why does my Burning bush have pests?
- Why is my burning bush drooping?
- Why is my Burning bush dropping its leaves?
- Why is my Burning Bush suffering from root rot?
- Why is my Burning Bush growing leggy?
- Why are my Burning Bush leaves curling?
Back to the Burning bush 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.