Should I cut off the brown tips?

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

Does this plant flower?

Japanese spindle does produce small, inconspicuous flowers in the spring, but it is grown mostly for its foliage. It needs plenty of light to bloom.

Japanese spindle: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check if the soil has been allowed to dry out completely.
Feel the air around the plant to see if it is very dry.
Consider the type of water you use for irrigation.

Likely causes

Low humidity
Possible
How to tell: The tips of the leaves turn dry and crispy while the rest of the leaf stays green. This often happens in dry indoor air.
What to do: Mist the leaves with water a few times a week. You can also place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water to increase local humidity.
Mineral buildup
Possible
How to tell: The tips turn brown even when the soil is moist. This is often caused by salts or chlorine in tap water.
What to do: Switch to using filtered or rainwater for your plant. Flush the soil with distilled water once a month to wash out accumulated salts.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your japanese 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.

When to worry

A little browning on older leaves is normal. Worry if the browning spreads quickly to the center of the leaves.

Stopping it coming back

Use filtered water and keep the plant away from heat vents or cold drafts.

Japanese spindle: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your japanese spindle 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 cut off the brown tips?: You can trim the brown parts with clean scissors for aesthetics. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
Does this plant flower?: Japanese spindle does produce small, inconspicuous flowers in the spring, but it is grown mostly for its foliage. It needs plenty of light to bloom.

Guides to these causes

Salt Stress

Why are my Japanese spindle's leaf tips turning brown?