Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Feel the air around the plant to see if it is very dry.
- Check the plant's position to see if it receives direct afternoon sun.
- Examine the soil to ensure it has not dried out completely.
Likely causes
Low Humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn brown and brittle while the rest of the leaf remains green. This often happens in homes with forced air heating or air conditioning.
What to do: Group your plant with others to create a more humid microclimate. You can also place a tray of water and pebbles near the pot to increase moisture in the air.
Sunburn
PossibleHow to tell: The tips or edges of the leaves look scorched and brown after being placed in direct, intense sunlight. This is most common during the hottest part of the day.
What to do: Move your plant to a location with bright, indirect light. If it is outdoors, provide partial shade during the afternoon hours.
Find out what's wrong with your creeping jenny
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
Brown tips are rarely fatal but indicate the plant is unhappy with its environment. If the brown patches start spreading to the center of the leaves, take action immediately.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the plant away from heat vents and provide consistent moisture in the soil.
Creeping Jenny: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your creeping jenny 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
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Questions people ask
- Will the brown tips turn green again?
- No, the brown parts are dead tissue and will not recover. You can trim the brown edges off for aesthetic reasons.
- Does misting help?
- Misting provides only temporary relief and is not very effective. Using a humidifier or a pebble tray is a better long term solution.
More problems with Creeping Jenny
Back to the Creeping Jenny 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.