Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check if the soil has dried out completely.
- Observe the weather for recent heat waves.
- Feel the texture of the brown tips.
Likely causes
Inconsistent Watering
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaf tips turn brown and crispy while the rest of the leaf looks dull. This happens when the plant experiences cycles of being too dry followed by too much water.
What to do: Stick to a regular watering schedule every 5 to 7 days. Ensure the soil stays evenly moist throughout the growing season. Mulching around the base can help keep the soil moisture stable.
Low Humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The tips of the leaves dry out and turn brown, especially during hot, dry summer spells. The plant otherwise looks healthy but lacks deep green color.
What to do: Group your plants together to create a more humid microclimate. You can also mist the air around the leaves during the hottest part of the day.
Find out what's wrong with your sword lily
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.
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When to worry
Brown tips are rarely fatal, but they indicate the plant is stressed. It is normal for the very oldest, lowest leaves to brown slightly as the season ends.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain a consistent watering rhythm and provide plenty of mulch to retain soil moisture.
Keep your sword lily 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.
Questions people ask
- Should I trim the brown tips off?
- Yes, you can trim the brown tips with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
- Does sun exposure cause brown tips?
- Gladiolus love full sun, but if they are not watered enough during high heat, the tips will dry out. Ensure they get enough water to support their sun exposure.
More problems with Sword Lily
- Why are my gladiolus leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my gladiolus not producing flowers?
- What is eating my gladiolus flowers?
- Why are my gladiolus corms rotting?
- Why is my gladiolus drooping?
- Why does my gladiolus have spots on its leaves?
- Why is my gladiolus growing tall and leggy?
- Why are my gladiolus leaves curling?
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.