Should I cut off the brown tips?

You can trim the brown parts off with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.

Is my plant dying if the tips are brown?

Usually not, it is just a sign that the plant is stressed by its environment. Adjusting your watering routine usually fixes the issue.

Dovefoot cranesbill: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Feel the top inch of soil for dryness.
Check if the pot has proper drainage holes.
Inspect the soil surface for white mineral deposits.

Likely causes

Inconsistent Watering
Most likely
How to tell: The leaf tips turn crispy and brown while the rest of the leaf may look wilted. This happens when the soil dries out completely between waterings.
What to do: Water your plant every 3 to 7 days when the top inch of soil feels dry. Ensure you water thoroughly until liquid drains from the bottom of the pot.
Mineral Buildup
Possible
How to tell: The tips turn brown even when the soil feels moist. You might see a white crust on the soil surface from tap water salts.
What to do: Flush the soil with distilled or filtered water to wash away excess salts. Avoid using water that has been through a chemical softener.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your dovefoot cranesbill

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.

When to worry

A few brown tips on older leaves are normal as the plant ages. If the browning is spreading rapidly across new leaves, take action immediately.

Stopping it coming back

Water consistently and use filtered water if your tap water is heavily treated or hard.

Dovefoot cranesbill: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your dovefoot cranesbill 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.

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

Questions people ask

Should I cut off the brown tips?: You can trim the brown parts off with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
Is my plant dying if the tips are brown?: Usually not, it is just a sign that the plant is stressed by its environment. Adjusting your watering routine usually fixes the issue.

Guides to these causes

Salt Stress

Why are my Geranium molle leaf tips turning brown?

Check these first

Not sure what's wrong with your dovefoot cranesbill?