Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Feel the top two inches of soil.
- Check if the air near the plant feels dry.
- Inspect the pot for proper drainage holes.
Likely causes
Low Humidity
Most likelyHow to tell: The edges of the leaves feel crispy and dry to the touch. This is common in homes with central heating or air conditioning.
What to do: Group your plant with others 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
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil pulls away from the sides of the pot and feels bone dry. The leaves may also lose their glossy sheen.
What to do: Water your plant thoroughly every 7 to 10 days when the top two inches of soil feel dry. Ensure water runs out of the drainage holes to saturate the entire root ball.
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
A few brown tips are normal as leaves age. Worry if the browning spreads rapidly across the leaf surface.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain consistent moisture and keep the plant away from direct drafts or heat vents.
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
- Should I cut off the brown tips?
- Yes, you can trim the brown parts with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
- Does tap water cause brown tips?
- Sometimes, minerals in tap water can build up in the soil and cause tip burn. If you suspect this, try using filtered or distilled water for a few weeks.
More problems with Swiss Cheese Plant
- Why is my Swiss Cheese Plant getting root rot?
- How do I get rid of pests on my Swiss Cheese Plant?
- Why are my Swiss Cheese Plant leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my monstera growing so leggy?
- Why is my monstera drooping?
- Why is my monstera losing leaves?
- Why does my monstera have brown spots?
- 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.