Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the soil surface for white mineral crusts.
- Feel the texture of the brown tips to see if they are dry or mushy.
- Measure the humidity level near the plant.
Likely causes
Low Humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn crisp and brown while the rest of the leaf remains green. This happens when the air is too dry for this tropical shrub.
What to do: Mist the leaves daily with a spray bottle. You can also place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water to increase the local moisture.
Mineral Salt Buildup
PossibleHow to tell: The tips brown and you might see a white crust on the soil surface or the rim of the pot. This occurs when tap water contains high levels of salts or chlorine.
What to do: Flush the soil thoroughly with distilled water until it runs clear from the drainage holes. Switch to using rainwater or filtered water for your future waterings.
Find out what's wrong with your jungle geranium
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
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When to worry
Worry if the browning spreads rapidly toward the center of the leaves. A few dry tips on older leaves are normal as the plant ages.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the plant away from heating vents and use distilled water to prevent salt accumulation.
Jungle Geranium: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your jungle geranium 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 the brown tips off?
- Yes, you can trim them for aesthetic reasons. Use clean scissors and cut just outside the green tissue to avoid damaging the healthy part of the leaf.
- Does tap water hurt my Ixora?
- Ixoras are sensitive to high mineral content. If your tap water is hard, it will eventually cause tip burn.
More problems with Jungle Geranium
- Why are my Jungle Geranium leaves turning yellow?
- What are these bugs on my Jungle Geranium?
- Why is my Jungle Geranium not blooming?
- Why is my Ixora drooping?
- Why is my Ixora losing its leaves?
- Why does my Ixora have spots on its leaves?
- Why is my Ixora showing signs of root rot?
- Why is my Ixora growing so leggy?
Back to the Jungle Geranium 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.