Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the soil moisture with your finger.
- Inspect the plant for signs of wilting.
- Assess the surrounding air conditions.
Likely causes
Inconsistent watering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil feels bone dry and the plant looks slightly wilted before the tips turn brown.
What to do: Water your impatiens every 2 to 4 days when the top inch of soil feels dry. Ensure the water reaches the roots thoroughly until it drains out the bottom.
Low humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn crisp and brown while the rest of the leaf stays green and healthy.
What to do: Group your plants together to create a more humid microclimate. You can also place a pebble tray filled with water beneath the pot to increase moisture in the air.
Find out what's wrong with your busy lizzie
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 browning spreads rapidly across the entire leaf or affects the stems. A few brown tips on older leaves are normal as the plant ages.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain a steady watering schedule and keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
Busy Lizzie: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your busy lizzie 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
- Should I trim off the brown tips?
- Yes, you can snip them off with clean scissors to keep the plant looking tidy. Just avoid cutting into the healthy green tissue.
- Does direct sun cause brown tips?
- Yes, impatiens prefer partial to full shade. Too much direct sunlight will scorch the leaves and cause the tips to dry out.
More problems with Busy Lizzie
- Why are my Busy Lizzie leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my Busy Lizzie drooping?
- What are the bugs on my Busy Lizzie?
- Why are my impatiens losing their leaves?
- How do I fix root rot in my impatiens?
- Why are my impatiens growing tall and leggy?
- What are these spots on my impatiens leaves?
- Why are my impatiens not blooming?
- Why are my impatiens leaves curling?
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.