Should I trim the brown tips off?

You can trim them for aesthetic reasons using clean scissors. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.

Is my water quality causing this?

If you have very hard water, the minerals can sometimes cause tip burn. Try using filtered or rainwater if you suspect this is the issue.

Japanese holly: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check when you last applied fertilizer.
Feel the soil for signs of salt crusting.
Check the humidity levels in your room.

Likely causes

Fertilizer burn
Most likely
How to tell: The tips turn brown and crisp after you have applied a heavy dose of fertilizer.
What to do: Flush the soil with plenty of plain water to wash away excess salts. Avoid fertilizing for at least 2 months while the plant recovers.
Low humidity
Possible
How to tell: The tips brown slowly during dry winter months or in very hot, arid conditions.
What to do: Mist the leaves occasionally or place a tray of pebbles and water near the plant. Ensure the plant is not sitting directly in front of a heater vent.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your japanese holly

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.

When to worry

Brown tips are usually cosmetic and not a sign of a dying plant. Worry only if the browning spreads rapidly to the rest of the leaf.

Stopping it coming back

Use a balanced fertilizer at half strength and keep the plant away from direct heat sources.

Japanese holly: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your japanese holly 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.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Should I trim the brown tips off?: You can trim them for aesthetic reasons using clean scissors. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
Is my water quality causing this?: If you have very hard water, the minerals can sometimes cause tip burn. Try using filtered or rainwater if you suspect this is the issue.

Guides to these causes

Salt Stress

Why are my Japanese holly leaf tips turning brown?

Check these first

Not sure what's wrong with your japanese holly?