Can I trim the brown tips off?

You can trim the brown parts with clean scissors, but try not to cut into the green tissue. This keeps the plant looking healthy without causing further stress.

Is tap water causing the brown tips?

Sometimes mineral buildup in tap water can cause tip burn. If you suspect this, try using filtered or rainwater for a few weeks to see if it improves.

meadow cranesbill: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check if the soil has dried out completely.
Feel the leaf tips to see if they are brittle.
Look for nearby heat sources like radiators.

Likely causes

Inconsistent watering
Most likely
How to tell: The tips turn crisp and brown while the rest of the leaf feels dry. This occurs when the plant goes through cycles of being bone dry and then soaked.
What to do: Water every 3 to 7 days when the top inch of soil feels dry. Use a consistent schedule to keep the moisture levels steady.
Low humidity
Possible
How to tell: The edges and tips of the leaves dry out and turn brown despite the soil being moist. This is common in dry indoor air during winter.
What to do: Place the plant on a tray filled with pebbles and a little water to increase local humidity. Avoid placing the plant directly next to heating vents.

Find out what's wrong with your meadow 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 are usually just a sign of environmental stress. Worry if the browning starts moving inward toward the center of the leaf.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the soil evenly moist and avoid placing the plant in drafty areas.

Keep your meadow cranesbill 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.

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Questions people ask

Can I trim the brown tips off?: You can trim the brown parts with clean scissors, but try not to cut into the green tissue. This keeps the plant looking healthy without causing further stress.
Is tap water causing the brown tips?: Sometimes mineral buildup in tap water can cause tip burn. If you suspect this, try using filtered or rainwater for a few weeks to see if it improves.

Why are my meadow cranesbill leaf tips turning brown?