Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the soil moisture with your finger.
- Observe the plant during the hottest part of the day.
- Inspect the leaves for signs of salt buildup from fertilizer.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil feels dry more than an inch deep and the leaves feel brittle.
What to do: Water the plant thoroughly until moisture drains from the bottom. Maintain a schedule of watering every 3 to 7 days depending on the heat.
Excessive Sun Exposure
PossibleHow to tell: The brown edges appear on the leaves facing the hottest afternoon sun.
What to do: Move the container to a spot with partial shade. If planted in the ground, add a shade cloth or transplant to a cooler area.
Find out what's wrong with your coral bells
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
It is normal for older, lower leaves to brown and die back as the plant grows. Worry if the browning spreads rapidly to new growth.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy and provide afternoon shade in hot climates.
Coral Bells: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your coral bells 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 off the brown tips?
- Yes, you can snip them off with clean scissors to keep the plant looking tidy. It will not hurt the plant.
- Does fertilizer cause brown tips?
- Too much fertilizer can cause salt buildup in the soil, which leads to burnt leaf tips. Use a balanced fertilizer at half strength.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Coral Bells
- Why is my Coral Bells plant collapsing?
- Why is my Coral Bells drooping?
- What are these pests on my Coral Bells?
- Why are there white spots on my Coral Bells?
- Why are my Coral Bells' leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my Heuchera not blooming?
- Why are my Coral Bells looking leggy?
- Why are my Heuchera leaves curling?
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.