Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check if the soil has been dry for a long time.
- Feel if the leaves are shriveled.
- Consider the type of water you use.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips become dry, crispy, and thin. The rest of the leaf may also look slightly shriveled or deflated.
What to do: Give the plant a thorough watering until water drains from the bottom of the pot. Wait until the soil is completely dry before watering again, usually every 14 to 28 days.
Mineral Buildup
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn brown even when the soil is properly moist. This is often caused by high salt or mineral content in tap water.
What to do: Flush the soil with distilled or filtered water to wash away excess salts. Consider switching to rainwater or filtered water for future waterings.
Find out what's wrong with your gasteria
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
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
Worry if the browning continues to move down the leaf toward the base. Minor tip damage is common and usually does not threaten the life of the plant.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain a consistent watering schedule based on soil dryness. Use filtered water if your tap water is heavily treated or hard.
Gasteria: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your gasteria 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
- Is it okay to trim the brown tips?
- Yes, you can trim the brown parts with clean scissors. Try to follow the natural shape of the leaf tip for a tidy look.
- Does low humidity cause brown tips?
- Gasteria are very tolerant of low humidity, so this is rarely the cause. Focus on your watering habits instead.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Gasteria
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.