Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Feel the top few centimeters of soil to check for dryness.
- Observe the air vents to ensure the plant is not sitting in a draft.
- Check the humidity levels in the room.
Likely causes
Low Humidity
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips turn crispy and brown while the rest of the leaf stays green. This is very common in homes with central heating or air conditioning.
What to do: Place a humidifier nearby or set the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water. Mist the leaves daily with room temperature water to increase the local moisture levels.
Underwatering
PossibleHow to tell: The soil pulls away from the edges of the pot and the leaves feel brittle. You might notice the tips browning before the whole leaf drops.
What to do: Water the plant thoroughly until liquid drains from the bottom holes. Ensure you are watering every 7 to 10 days when the top few centimeters of soil feel dry.
Find out what's wrong with your weeping fig
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 to the center of the leaves or if the plant starts dropping foliage rapidly. A few crispy tips on older leaves are normal as the plant ages.
Stopping it coming back
Keep your Weeping Fig away from direct air conditioning vents and maintain a consistent watering schedule.
Keep your weeping fig 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 the brown parts with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
- Does tap water cause brown tips?
- Sometimes the minerals in tap water can build up in the soil and cause tip burn. If you suspect this, try using filtered or distilled water for a few weeks.
More problems with Weeping Fig
- Why is my Weeping Fig losing so many leaves?
- What are these bugs on my Weeping Fig?
- Why are my Weeping Fig's leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my Weeping Fig drooping?
- Why are there spots on my Weeping Fig's leaves?
- Why is my weeping fig showing signs of root rot?
- Why is my weeping fig growing long and leggy?
- Why are my weeping fig's leaves curling?
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.