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Morning Glory · Ipomoea

Why are the tips of my morning glory leaves turning brown?

It is less common for morning glories to have brown tips, as they are quite hardy in the right conditions. This usually happens when the plant is not getting enough water or the air is too dry.

Check these first

  1. Feel the soil to see if it is bone dry.
  2. Check if the plant is in a very hot or drafty location.
  3. Examine the roots to ensure they are not crowded.

Likely causes

  1. Underwatering

    Most likely

    How to tell: The brown tips will feel dry and crispy to the touch. The soil will also feel very dry or pull away from the edges of the pot.

    What to do: Water the plant thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes. Maintain a schedule of watering every 3 to 7 days based on the soil moisture.

  2. Low Humidity

    Possible

    How to tell: The leaf edges turn brown and brittle even when the soil is moist. This is more common if the plant is kept in a very hot, dry spot indoors.

    What to do: Move the plant to a spot with better air circulation. You can also place a tray of pebbles and water near the plant to boost local humidity.

Find out what's wrong with your morning glory

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

If the browning is moving inward toward the center of the leaf, the plant is likely stressed. A tiny bit of brown on the very tip is often just normal aging.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Ensure your morning glory is planted in a spot that gets plenty of natural light but is protected from drying heat vents.

Keep your morning glory 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.

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

Questions people ask

Should I cut off the brown tips?
You can trim the brown parts with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
Does morning glory flower if it has brown tips?
Morning glories bloom best in full sun with regular water. If the plant is stressed enough to have brown tips, it may produce fewer flowers.

More problems with Morning Glory

Back to the Morning Glory 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.