Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check if the soil is bone dry.
- Look for nearby heat vents or radiators.
- Feel the texture of the brown tips.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaf tips become crispy and brown while the rest of the leaf feels dry. The soil pulls away from the edges of the pot.
What to do: Water the plant thoroughly until liquid runs out of the drainage holes. Maintain a schedule of watering every 3 to 7 days depending on the heat.
Low humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn brown and brittle, especially if the plant is kept indoors near a heater or vent. The foliage may look dull.
What to do: Move the plant away from direct heat sources like radiators. You can also place a tray of pebbles and water nearby to increase ambient moisture.
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
Brown tips are rarely fatal but indicate the plant is stressed. If the browning spreads to the whole leaf, the plant is likely suffering from severe dehydration.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy, and avoid placing your plant in the path of hot, dry air.
Keep your coral bells 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
- Can I trim the brown tips off?
- You can trim the brown edges with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
- Does fertilizer cause brown tips?
- Too much fertilizer can cause salt buildup in the soil, which leads to brown tips. Flush the soil with plain water to wash out excess salts.
More problems with Coral Bells
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.