Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Feel the top 2 inches of soil to check for dryness.
- Observe the air quality near the plant for drafts or heating vents.
- Inspect the leaves for signs of crispy edges versus soft rot.
Likely causes
Low Humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn crisp and brown while the rest of the leaf remains green. This often happens in dry indoor air or during hot, windy spells.
What to do: Mist the leaves with water every 2 to 3 days to increase local humidity. You can also place a tray of pebbles and water near the base of the plant to create a humid microclimate.
Inconsistent Watering
PossibleHow to tell: The soil feels bone dry to the touch and the tips of the leaves start to curl and brown. The plant may look slightly wilted overall.
What to do: Water your plant every 5 to 10 days, ensuring the soil stays evenly moist. Do not let the top 2 inches of soil dry out completely before adding more water.
Find out what's wrong with your alder buckthorn
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
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When to worry
Worry if the browning spreads rapidly toward the center of the leaves or affects new growth. It is normal for a few older leaves at the bottom of the plant to brown and fall off as the plant ages.
Stopping it coming back
Keep a consistent watering schedule and avoid placing your plant directly in front of air conditioning or heating vents.
Alder buckthorn: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your alder buckthorn 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
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Should I trim off the brown tips?
- Yes, you can trim the brown parts off with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
- Does tap water cause brown tips?
- Sometimes, if your tap water has high mineral content, it can cause salt buildup that leads to brown tips. Try using filtered or rainwater if you suspect your water quality is poor.
More problems with Alder buckthorn
- Why are there orange spots on my Alder buckthorn leaves?
- Why are my Alder buckthorn leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my Alder buckthorn drooping?
- Why is my Alder buckthorn dropping its leaves?
- What are the bugs on my Alder buckthorn?
- Why is my Alder buckthorn showing signs of root rot?
- Why is my Alder buckthorn growing leggy and sparse?
Back to the Alder buckthorn guide
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.