Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the soil moisture at least two inches deep.
- Feel the texture of the brown tips to see if they are brittle.
- Check if the plant is exposed to drying winds.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil feels dry and crumbly to the touch. The brown tips appear on the oldest leaves first.
What to do: Water the plant deeply every 7 to 14 days. Ensure the water reaches the root zone rather than just wetting the surface.
Low humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn brown even though the soil feels moist. This often happens during hot, dry summer spells.
What to do: While you cannot change the weather, you can mulch around the base of the plant to hold in moisture. This keeps the roots cool and hydrated.
Find out what's wrong with your matgrass
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 some older leaves to brown as the season progresses. You should only worry if the browning is moving rapidly down the entire blade.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain a consistent watering schedule and apply a layer of organic mulch around the base. This helps keep the soil moisture steady.
Matgrass: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your matgrass 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
- Should I trim the brown tips off?
- Yes, you can trim them for aesthetic reasons. Use clean, sharp scissors to avoid damaging the healthy green tissue.
- Is my Matgrass getting too much sun?
- Matgrass loves full sun, so it is rarely the cause of brown tips. It is almost always a water or humidity issue.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Matgrass
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.