Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the soil surface for white mineral crusts.
- Feel the air around the plant to see if it feels dry.
- Inspect the leaves for any signs of pests like scale.
Likely causes
Low Humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn crisp and brown while the rest of the leaf stays green. This often happens in winter when indoor heating dries out the air.
What to do: Mist the leaves with water every 2 to 3 days. You can also place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water to increase local humidity.
Mineral Salt Buildup
PossibleHow to tell: Brown tips appear even when the soil is moist. You might see a white crust forming on the surface of the soil or the rim of the pot.
What to do: Flush the soil by running lukewarm water through the pot for 2 to 3 minutes. Use filtered or distilled water in the future to avoid tap water minerals.
Find out what's wrong with your spindle
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 toward the center of the leaves. Minor tip browning is usually just a reaction to environmental changes.
Stopping it coming back
Keep your Spindle away from direct heat vents and use filtered water to prevent salt accumulation.
Keep your spindle healthy from here
Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.
Questions people ask
- Should I trim off the brown tips?
- Yes, you can trim them with clean scissors to improve the look of the plant. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
- Does this mean my plant is dying?
- Not necessarily. Brown tips are usually a sign of stress rather than a fatal condition.
More problems with Spindle
- Why are there bumps on my Spindle stems?
- Why does my Spindle have white dusty spots?
- Why are my Spindle leaves turning yellow?
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This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.