Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Feel the soil to see if it has dried out.
- Check the air around the plant for drafts or heating vents.
- Look for orange rust spots on the leaf undersides.
Likely causes
Low humidity
Most likelyHow to tell: The very tips of the leaves turn crisp and brown while the rest of the leaf stays green. This is common in dry indoor air.
What to do: Mist the leaves with water every morning. You can also place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water to boost local humidity.
Underwatering
PossibleHow to tell: The brown tips feel dry and brittle, and the leaves may start to curl. This happens when the plant cannot pull enough water to the leaf edges.
What to do: Increase your watering frequency to ensure the soil stays damp. Make sure you are soaking the soil thoroughly until water runs out the drainage holes.
Find out what's wrong with your square-stalked 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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
Worry if the brown area moves inward toward the stem. A tiny bit of brown on the very tip is often just a reaction to dry indoor air.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the plant away from direct airflow from heaters or air conditioners. Consistent damp soil prevents most tip browning.
Square-stalked St. John's-wort: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your square-stalked 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.
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
- Can I trim the brown tips?
- Yes, you can trim the brown parts off with sharp scissors. Try to follow the natural shape of the leaf so it looks natural.
- Will the brown tips turn green again?
- No, once leaf tissue turns brown and dies, it will not turn green again. Focus on preventing the brown from spreading to new growth.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Square-stalked St. John's-wort
- Why does my Square-stalked St. John's-wort have spots?
- Why is my Square-stalked St. John's-wort drooping?
- Why is my Square-stalked St. John's-wort not flowering?
- Why are my Hypericum tetrapterum leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my Hypericum tetrapterum dropping its leaves?
- Why are there bugs on my Hypericum tetrapterum?
- Why is my Hypericum tetrapterum growing so tall and thin?
Back to the Square-stalked 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.