Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the humidity level in the room.
- See if the plant is near a heater or air vent.
- Consider the type of water you are using.
Likely causes
Low humidity
PossibleHow to tell: This is less common for this plant, and usually happens in dry indoor environments or during winter when heaters are on. The tips of the leaves turn crispy and brown while the rest of the leaf stays green.
What to do: Mist the leaves with water every morning or place the plant on a tray filled with pebbles and water. You can also group it with other plants to create a more humid microclimate. A small humidifier nearby also works wonders.
Mineral buildup
PossibleHow to tell: This is less common for this plant, and usually happens when using tap water with high salt or chlorine content. The brown tips appear gradually even when the plant is watered regularly.
What to do: Switch to using filtered, distilled, or rainwater for your plant. Flush the soil with plenty of water once a month to wash out accumulated salts. Avoid using water that has been through a home water softener.
Find out what's wrong with your polka dot plant
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
Minor brown tips are mostly a cosmetic issue and not a sign of a dying plant. Worry if the brown patches start spreading rapidly across the entire leaf surface.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain consistent humidity and use filtered water to keep the foliage looking its best.
Keep your polka dot plant 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
- Should I trim the brown tips off?
- You can trim the brown parts with clean scissors for a tidier look. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
- Can fertilizer cause brown tips?
- Yes, using too much fertilizer can cause salt buildup in the soil that burns the leaf tips. Always dilute your fertilizer and flush the soil occasionally.
More problems with Polka Dot Plant
- Why is my polka dot plant getting so tall and leggy?
- Why does my polka dot plant look sick and mushy?
- What are these tiny bugs on my polka dot plant?
- Why are my polka dot plant's leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my polka dot plant drooping?
- Why is my polka dot plant dropping leaves?
- Why are there spots on my polka dot plant leaves?
- Why are my polka dot plant leaves curling?
Back to the Polka Dot Plant guide
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.