Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the humidity levels in your room.
- Look for salt crusts on the soil surface.
- Review your water source for high mineral content.
Likely causes
Low Humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The tips of the leaves turn brown and crispy while the rest of the leaf remains green. This often happens during winter when indoor heating dries out the air.
What to do: Place a humidifier near the plant to increase moisture levels. You can also group it with other plants or place it on a pebble tray filled with water.
Mineral Buildup
PossibleHow to tell: Brown tips appear even when the soil moisture seems correct. You might see a white crust forming on the surface of the soil.
What to do: Flush the soil with filtered or distilled water to wash away excess salts. Avoid using water that has been through a chemical softener.
Find out what's wrong with your african 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
A few brown tips are usually just a reaction to dry air and are not a sign of a dying plant. Worry if the brown patches start spreading rapidly toward the center of the leaf.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the plant away from heating vents and use filtered water if your tap water is very hard.
African Fig: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your african fig 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
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Questions people ask
- Will the brown tips turn green again?
- No, the brown tissue is dead and will not recover. You can trim the brown parts off with clean scissors for a tidier look.
- Does misting help?
- Misting provides only temporary relief and is not as effective as a humidifier. It is better to focus on consistent soil moisture and ambient humidity.
Guides to these causes
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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.