Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Feel the air around the plant to see if it feels dry.
- Look for white crust on the soil surface.
- Check if the plant is near a heat vent.
Likely causes
Low humidity
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips turn crisp and brown while the rest of the leaf stays green. This is common in homes with central heating during the winter.
What to do: Mist the leaves daily with a spray bottle. You can also place the plant near other plants to create a more humid microclimate.
Mineral buildup
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn brown and you might see a white crust on the soil surface. This is caused by salts or minerals in your tap water.
What to do: Flush the soil with distilled or rainwater to wash away excess salts. Switch to using rainwater or filtered water for future watering.
Find out what's wrong with your marsh pennywort
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
A few brown tips are usually just a sign of environmental stress. Worry if the browning is moving inward and affecting the whole leaf.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the plant in a humid environment and avoid using water with high mineral content.
Marsh pennywort: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your marsh pennywort 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.
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Questions people ask
- Will the brown tips turn green again?
- No, the brown parts are dead tissue and will not recover. You can trim them off for aesthetic reasons.
- Does this plant need a humidifier?
- It is not strictly necessary, but it helps keep the leaves lush. A pebble tray filled with water under the pot also works well.
Guides to these causes
More problems with marsh pennywort
Back to the marsh pennywort 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.