Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Feel the soil to see if it has dried out too much.
- Check the humidity levels in the room.
- Look for heat vents blowing directly on the leaves.
Likely causes
Low Humidity
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips of the leaves are dry and brittle, especially in winter when heaters are running.
What to do: Group your plants together to create a humid microclimate. You can also place a humidifier nearby or set the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water.
Inconsistent Watering
PossibleHow to tell: The soil dries out completely and pulls away from the edges of the pot between waterings.
What to do: Establish a more regular routine by checking the soil every 7 days. Water thoroughly until liquid runs out of the drainage holes to ensure the entire root ball is hydrated.
Find out what's wrong with your swiss cheese 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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
Brown tips are rarely fatal, but they indicate the plant is stressed. If the brown spots start spreading into the center of the leaf, you may have a bigger issue.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the plant away from direct drafts or heating vents. Maintain a consistent watering schedule based on soil moisture.
Swiss cheese plant: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your swiss cheese plant 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
- Can I trim the brown tips off?
- You can carefully trim the brown parts with clean scissors. Try to follow the natural shape of the leaf, but avoid cutting into the healthy green tissue.
- Does misting help with brown tips?
- Misting only provides a temporary boost in humidity. Using a humidifier or a pebble tray is much more effective for long term health.
More problems with Swiss cheese plant
- How do I fix root rot in my Swiss cheese plant?
- Why does my Swiss cheese plant have silvery streaks?
- Why are my monstera's leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my monstera growing so leggy?
- Why is my monstera drooping?
- Why is my Monstera deliciosa losing leaves?
- Why does my Monstera have spots on its leaves?
- Why are my Monstera leaves curling?
Back to the Swiss cheese plant 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.