Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check if the air near the plant is very dry.
- Verify your watering schedule to ensure you are not letting the soil get too dry.
- Inspect the leaves for any signs of pests like spider mites.
Likely causes
Low Humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The tips of the leaves turn brown and crispy while the rest of the leaf remains green.
What to do: Increase the humidity around your plant by using a humidifier or placing it on a pebble tray with water. Misting the leaves can help, but it is less effective than a humidifier.
Inconsistent Watering
PossibleHow to tell: The leaves feel dry and brittle, and the tips turn brown after the soil has been allowed to dry out completely for too long.
What to do: Establish a consistent watering routine by checking the soil every 7 days. Ensure you water thoroughly until liquid drains from the bottom of the pot.
Find out what's wrong with your 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
Brown tips are mostly a cosmetic issue unless the browning spreads to the entire leaf. It is normal for the very oldest leaves at the bottom of the plant to brown and fall off occasionally.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the humidity stable and stick to a regular watering schedule based on soil moisture.
Keep your 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 the brown tips off?
- You can trim them for aesthetic reasons, but be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue. Use clean, sharp scissors to make the cut.
- Does my Ficus need to flower?
- Ficus trees grown indoors rarely flower. They need specific conditions and maturity to bloom, so do not worry if yours never produces flowers.
More problems with Fig
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.