Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the humidity level in your room.
- Test if your tap water has a strong chlorine smell.
- Inspect the central cup to ensure it is not empty.
Likely causes
Low Humidity
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips turn brown and crispy while the rest of the leaf stays green. This happens often in homes with air conditioning or heating.
What to do: Mist the leaves daily with a spray bottle. You can also place the plant on a tray filled with pebbles and water to increase the local humidity.
Water Quality
PossibleHow to tell: Brown tips appear even when the soil is moist. This is often a reaction to fluoride or chlorine found in tap water.
What to do: Switch to using filtered, distilled, or rainwater for your plant. Always ensure you are pouring water into the central cup and the soil.
Find out what's wrong with your guzmania bromeliad
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
It is normal for the very oldest, lowest leaves to brown as they age. Worry only if the browning is spreading rapidly to newer leaves.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the plant away from direct heating vents and use filtered water consistently.
Guzmania Bromeliad: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your guzmania bromeliad 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 the brown tips off?
- Yes, you can trim the brown parts with clean scissors. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
- Does misting really help?
- Misting provides a temporary boost in humidity. It is a great way to keep the foliage happy in dry indoor environments.
More problems with Guzmania Bromeliad
- Why is my Guzmania looking mushy at the base?
- What are these white cottony spots on my Guzmania?
- Why is my Guzmania bromeliad not flowering?
- Why are my Guzmania's leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my Guzmania drooping?
- Why are there spots on my Guzmania leaves?
- Why is my Guzmania growing tall and leggy?
- Why are my Guzmania leaves curling?
Back to the Guzmania Bromeliad 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.