Skip to content
Pocket Botanist
Get the app

Weeping forsythia · Forsythia suspensa

Why are the tips of my weeping forsythia leaves turning brown?

Brown tips are less common for this plant and typically indicate that the roots are struggling to move water to the foliage. Check your watering schedule to see if the plant has been too dry for too long.

Check these first

  1. Check if the soil is completely dry and pulling away from the edges.
  2. Look for small dark spots or lesions on the leaves.
  3. Inspect the plant for signs of recent heavy rain or high humidity.

Likely causes

  1. Underwatering

    Possible

    How to tell: The leaf tips turn crispy and brown while the rest of the leaf feels dry to the touch. This often happens during hot, dry summer months.

    What to do: Water the plant deeply once a week during dry spells. Apply a 2 inch layer of mulch around the base to help the soil retain moisture.

  2. Leaf Spot

    Possible

    How to tell: Brown tips or spots appear on the leaves, often with a dark border. This is a fungal issue that thrives in wet, humid weather.

    What to do: Remove and destroy any infected leaves to prevent the fungus from spreading. Improve air circulation around the plant by thinning out dense branches.

Find out what's wrong with your weeping forsythia

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.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

When to worry

It is normal for the tips to brown slightly during extreme heat waves. You should worry if the browning spreads rapidly across the entire leaf surface.

Stopping it coming back

Water at the base of the plant rather than overhead to keep the foliage dry and prevent fungal growth.

Keep your weeping forsythia 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.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Should I cut off the brown tips?
Yes, you can trim the brown tips with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just be sure to sterilize your tools with alcohol between cuts.
Does leaf spot kill the plant?
Usually no, it is mostly cosmetic. Keeping the area clean and improving airflow will stop it from becoming a major problem.

More problems with Weeping forsythia

Back to the Weeping forsythia guide

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.