Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the humidity level in your room.
- Observe if the brown tips are crispy or soft.
- Consider the type of water you are using.
Likely causes
Low humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The tips of the leaves turn brown and crispy while the rest of the leaf stays green.
What to do: Place a humidifier nearby or set the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water. Do not let the pot sit directly in the water.
Mineral buildup
PossibleHow to tell: Brown tips appear even when the soil is kept moist and humidity is high.
What to do: Switch to using filtered or distilled water instead of tap water. Flush the soil with clean water once a month to remove excess salts.
Find out what's wrong with your sensitive plant
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
A few brown tips are usually just a sign of minor environmental stress. Worry if the browning spreads rapidly to the entire leaf or stem.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the plant away from heating vents and use consistent, clean water to avoid salt buildup.
Keep your sensitive plant 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 off the brown tips?
- You can trim the brown parts with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Avoid cutting into the healthy green tissue to prevent further stress.
- Is misting the plant enough?
- Misting only provides temporary humidity. A humidifier or a pebble tray is much more effective for long term health.
More problems with Sensitive plant
- Why is my sensitive plant drooping?
- Why are my sensitive plant leaves turning yellow?
- Are there pests on my sensitive plant?
- Why is my sensitive plant dropping its leaves?
- Why is my sensitive plant growing so tall and leggy?
- Why does my sensitive plant have spots on its leaves?
- Why is my sensitive plant not blooming?
- Is my sensitive plant suffering from root rot?
Back to the Sensitive plant guide
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.