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Lotus · Nelumbo

Why are my lotus leaf tips turning brown?

Brown tips on a lotus are less common and usually caused by poor water quality or salt buildup in the container. Check your water source and ensure the plant is not sitting in stagnant, dirty water.

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Check these first

  1. Test your water for high mineral content or chlorine.
  2. Look for white crusty deposits on the rim of your container.
  3. Check if the water has become stagnant or smelly.

Likely causes

  1. Water Quality Issues

    Possible

    How to tell: The edges of the leaves turn crispy and brown while the rest of the leaf remains green.

    What to do: Change a portion of the water in your container to refresh the environment. Ensure you are using dechlorinated water to prevent chemical stress.

  2. Salt Accumulation

    Possible

    How to tell: A white crust forms on the edge of the container or the soil surface, accompanied by browning leaf tips.

    What to do: Flush the container with fresh water to wash away excess salts. Avoid using heavy fertilizers that can leave behind mineral deposits.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your lotus

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

Minor browning at the very edge is often just a reaction to environmental changes. Worry if the browning spreads rapidly toward the center of the leaf.

Stopping it coming back

Refresh the water regularly and use high quality aquatic fertilizer to prevent mineral buildup.

Lotus: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your lotus 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.

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Questions people ask

Does humidity affect the leaf tips?
Lotus plants love high humidity, but since they are aquatic, they are usually fine as long as they are submerged. Keep the water level consistent to maintain a stable environment.
Is my lotus getting too much fertilizer?
Excessive fertilizer can lead to salt buildup which burns the tips. Stick to the recommended dosage on your aquatic fertilizer package.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Lotus

Back to the Lotus 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.