Should I trim the brown tips off?

You can trim them for aesthetic reasons. Use clean scissors and leave a tiny sliver of brown so you do not cut into the healthy green tissue.

Does tap water cause brown tips?

Sometimes the minerals in tap water can build up in the soil. If you suspect this, try using filtered or distilled water for a month.

Chinese Fan Palm: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Feel the top 2 inches of soil to see if it is dry.
Check the humidity levels in the room.
Look for signs of salt buildup from tap water.

Likely causes

Low Humidity
Most likely
How to tell: The tips turn crisp and brown while the rest of the leaf looks healthy. This is very common in homes with central heating.
What to do: Group your plants together to create a microclimate. Use a humidifier nearby or place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water.
Underwatering
Possible
How to tell: The soil feels bone dry and the leaves may start to droop slightly. The brown tips will feel dry and brittle to the touch.
What to do: Water the plant thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes. Stick to a schedule of checking the soil every 7 to 10 days.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your chinese fan palm

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.

When to worry

Brown tips are rarely fatal, but they are a sign that your plant is not perfectly happy. If the brown area spreads to the whole leaf, you have a bigger issue.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Mist the foliage occasionally to mimic a tropical environment.

Chinese Fan Palm: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your chinese fan palm 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.

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

Questions people ask

Should I trim the brown tips off?: You can trim them for aesthetic reasons. Use clean scissors and leave a tiny sliver of brown so you do not cut into the healthy green tissue.
Does tap water cause brown tips?: Sometimes the minerals in tap water can build up in the soil. If you suspect this, try using filtered or distilled water for a month.

Guides to these causes

Dehydration

Why are the tips of my Chinese Fan Palm turning brown?

Check these first

Not sure what's wrong with your chinese fan palm?