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St. John's wort · Hypericum perforatum

Why does my St. John's wort have brown leaf tips?

It is less common for St. John's wort to develop brown tips, which usually points to low humidity or inconsistent watering habits. Check your watering schedule to see if the soil is drying out too much between waterings.

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Check these first

  1. Check the soil moisture to see if the plant is too dry.
  2. Observe the environment for dry air sources like heaters.
  3. Ensure the plant is not sitting in a drafty area.

Likely causes

  1. Inconsistent Watering

    Most likely

    How to tell: The tips of the leaves turn dry and crispy while the rest of the leaf stays green. The soil feels completely bone dry to the touch.

    What to do: Establish a regular watering routine, checking the soil every 7 to 14 days. Ensure you water thoroughly until moisture runs out of the drainage holes.

  2. Low Humidity

    Possible

    How to tell: The leaf tips brown slowly over time, especially during the winter when indoor heating is on. The leaves may also feel brittle.

    What to do: Group your plants together to create a more humid microclimate. You can also place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and a little water to increase local humidity.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your st. john's wort

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 a minor issue unless they start moving inward toward the leaf base. It is normal to see a little browning if the plant has been recently moved to a new environment.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Avoid placing the plant directly in front of air vents or heaters.

St. John's wort: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your st. john's wort 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 the tips with scissors if you do not like how they look.
Does this plant need a humidifier?
Usually no, as it is quite hardy. If your home is very dry, grouping it with other plants is usually enough to keep it happy.

More problems with St. John's wort

Back to the St. John's wort 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.