Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Feel the soil to see if it has become completely parched.
- Check if you are using tap water with high mineral content.
- Observe if the plant is placed in a drafty area that dries it out.
Likely causes
Inconsistent Watering
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips become crispy and brown while the rest of the leaf feels dry. This happens when the plant goes through cycles of being bone dry and then soaked.
What to do: Aim to water every 5 to 10 days depending on the heat. Keep the soil lightly moist but never soggy to maintain a steady hydration level.
Mineral Buildup
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn brown even when the soil feels adequately moist. This is often caused by salts from tap water accumulating in the soil.
What to do: Flush the soil by running clean, filtered water through the pot for a few minutes. Use rainwater or distilled water for future waterings to prevent salt buildup.
Find out what's wrong with your scarlet gilia
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 browning on the very tips is often just a reaction to environmental changes. Worry if the brown patches start moving inward toward the center of the leaf.
Stopping it coming back
Water deeply and consistently, and consider using filtered water if your local tap water is hard.
Scarlet gilia: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your scarlet gilia 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
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Questions people ask
- Can I trim the brown tips?
- You can trim the brown parts off with sharp scissors, but try not to cut into the healthy green tissue. This is purely for aesthetic reasons.
- Is my plant getting too much sun?
- Scarlet gilia loves full sun, so it is unlikely to be the cause of brown tips. Ensure it is getting enough water to support that high light exposure.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Scarlet gilia
Back to the Scarlet gilia 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.