Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Feel the top inch of soil to see if it is dry.
- Check the air around the plant for drafts or dry heat sources.
- Inspect the leaves for any signs of fungal spots.
Likely causes
Low Humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn crisp and brown while the rest of the leaf remains green. This often happens when the air is very dry indoors.
What to do: Place a tray of pebbles and water near the plant to increase local humidity. You can also mist the air around the leaves, but avoid spraying the flowers directly.
Underwatering
PossibleHow to tell: The soil feels bone dry and the leaves start to lose their firm texture. The tips will brown as the plant struggles to move water to the ends of its foliage.
What to do: Water your lily thoroughly until liquid drains from the bottom of the pot. Aim to keep the soil evenly moist, letting only the top inch dry out before you water again.
Find out what's wrong with your lily
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 rapidly across the entire leaf, as this may indicate a fungal issue like Botrytis. It is normal for the very oldest bottom leaves to brown slightly as the plant finishes its blooming cycle.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain consistent soil moisture and keep the plant away from direct heat vents or cold drafts.
Keep your lily 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.
Questions people ask
- Should I trim the brown tips off?
- Yes, you can trim the brown tips with clean scissors to keep the plant looking tidy. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
- Does tap water cause brown tips?
- Sometimes, the minerals or chlorine in tap water can cause tip burn. If you suspect this, try using filtered or rainwater for a few weeks.
More problems with Lily
- Why are there brown spots on my lily leaves?
- What are these red bugs on my lily?
- Why is my lily not producing any flowers?
- Why are my lily leaves turning yellow?
- How do I fix root rot in my lily?
- Why is my lily growing tall and leggy?
- Why is my lily drooping?
- Why is my lily losing its leaves?
- Why are my lily leaves curling?
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.