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Crape myrtle · Lagerstroemia indica

Why are my crape myrtle's leaf tips turning brown?

It is less common for a crape myrtle to have brown tips, as they are quite hardy. This usually happens when the plant is not getting enough water during a hot, dry spell.

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Check these first

  1. Check the soil moisture level with your finger.
  2. Look for signs of recent heat waves or drought.
  3. Inspect the pot drainage if the plant is in a container.

Likely causes

  1. Underwatering

    Possible

    How to tell: The soil feels bone dry several inches down and the leaves look brittle.

    What to do: Water the tree deeply at the base until the soil is moist 6 to 10 inches deep. Repeat this every 7 to 14 days depending on how hot the weather is.

  2. Salt buildup

    Possible

    How to tell: The tips turn brown even though the soil feels moist, often occurring in potted plants.

    What to do: Flush the soil with plenty of clean water to wash out excess salts. Ensure the pot has good drainage so the water can flow out freely.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your crape myrtle

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

Worry if the browning spreads to the entire leaf or causes the whole branch to die back. Minor tip browning during the peak of summer is often just a reaction to extreme heat.

Stopping it coming back

Maintain a consistent watering schedule and apply a layer of mulch around the base to keep the roots cool and moist.

Crape myrtle: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your crape myrtle 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.

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Questions people ask

Should I trim off the brown tips?
You can snip them off with clean shears for appearance, but it is not strictly necessary for the health of the tree.
Does fertilizer cause brown tips?
Yes, using too much fertilizer can burn the roots and show up as brown leaf tips. Always follow the package instructions carefully.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Crape myrtle

Back to the Crape myrtle 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.