Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Touch the top inch of soil to check for dryness.
- Look at the location to see if it is near a heater.
- Check the drainage holes to ensure water is moving through.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil feels dry to the touch an inch down and the leaves look slightly shriveled.
What to do: Water your plant thoroughly until water drains from the bottom. Aim to keep the soil evenly moist, watering every 3 to 7 days depending on your home temperature.
Low Humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn brown and crispy even though the soil feels damp.
What to do: Place your plant on a tray filled with pebbles and water to increase local humidity. Avoid putting it directly next to heating vents or radiators.
Find out what's wrong with your greater wood-rush
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
It is normal for the very oldest outer leaves to brown as they age. Worry if the browning is spreading rapidly across new growth.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain a steady watering schedule and keep the plant away from dry, forced air.
Greater wood-rush: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your greater wood-rush 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 with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just avoid cutting into the healthy green tissue.
- Does tap water cause brown tips?
- Sometimes, if your water is very hard or heavily chlorinated. Try using filtered or rainwater if you suspect mineral buildup.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Greater wood-rush
Back to the Greater wood-rush 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.