Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Measure the humidity level near the plant.
- Check the water source for mineral content.
- Inspect the soil for white salt crusts.
Likely causes
Low Humidity
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaf tips turn crispy and brown while the rest of the leaf stays green. This often happens if the plant is near a heater or in a room with dry air.
What to do: Increase humidity to 70 to 90 percent using a humidifier or a terrarium setup. Mist the plant daily if you cannot maintain a stable environment.
Mineral Buildup
PossibleHow to tell: Brown tips appear even when humidity is high. You might see white crusty deposits on the soil surface.
What to do: Switch to using only distilled, reverse osmosis, or rain water. Flush the pot with a large volume of pure water to wash away accumulated salts.
Find out what's wrong with your rajah pitcher 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.
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When to worry
It is normal for the very oldest leaves to brown as they age. Be concerned if the browning spreads rapidly across new growth.
Stopping it coming back
Always use pure water and keep the plant in a high humidity enclosure.
Rajah pitcher plant: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your rajah pitcher 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
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Questions people ask
- Can I use tap water?
- No, tap water often contains minerals that will burn the roots and leaf tips of this sensitive plant. Always use distilled or rain water.
- Is misting enough?
- Misting helps temporarily, but it is rarely enough for a Rajah. A terrarium or a dedicated grow tent is much better for long term health.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Rajah pitcher plant
Back to the Rajah pitcher 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.