Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Feel the soil two inches below the surface.
- Check if the pot has proper drainage holes.
- Inspect the plant for signs of extreme heat stress.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil feels bone dry several inches down and the leaves look brittle.
What to do: Water the plant deeply until moisture reaches the deep roots. Aim to water every 7 to 14 days depending on the heat.
Low Humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn brown even though the soil is consistently moist.
What to do: Silvergrass prefers outdoor air circulation. If you are growing this in a container indoors, move it to a spot with better airflow.
Find out what's wrong with your miscanthus
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
It is normal for older blades to brown slightly at the end of the season. Worry if the browning spreads rapidly across the entire plant.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain a consistent watering schedule during the first growing season to help the roots establish.
Miscanthus: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your miscanthus 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?
- Yes, you can trim the brown tips with clean shears to improve the look of the plant. It will not harm the grass.
- Will the brown tips turn green again?
- No, once the tissue has turned brown and died, it will not turn green again. Focus on preventing new growth from browning.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Miscanthus
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.