Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Feel the soil to see if it is bone dry.
- Check for a white crust on the soil surface.
- Ensure the plant is getting at least 6 hours of direct sun.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaf tips become dry, crispy, and brown. The soil feels like dust when you touch it.
What to do: Water the plant deeply until water runs out of the drainage holes. Maintain a consistent schedule of every 7 to 14 days.
Salt Buildup
PossibleHow to tell: Brown tips appear even when the soil is moist. You might see a white crust on the soil surface.
What to do: Flush the soil with plenty of clean water to wash away excess salts. Avoid using fertilizers with high salt content.
Find out what's wrong with your oleander
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
Brown tips are rarely fatal and are usually just a sign of environmental stress. If the entire leaf turns brown and falls off, you should investigate further.
Stopping it coming back
Water consistently and use a balanced fertilizer sparingly. Ensure the plant is in a location with good airflow.
Oleander: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your oleander 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 tips with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Wear gloves, since all parts of oleander are toxic and the sap can irritate skin, and wash your hands afterward. Keep clippings away from children and pets, and never burn them. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
- Does my oleander need high humidity?
- Oleanders are very hardy and do not require high humidity. Brown tips are almost always related to water or salt issues.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Oleander
- Why are there yellow bugs on my oleander?
- Why is my oleander growing tall and leggy?
- Why are my oleander leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my oleander drooping?
- Why is my oleander losing its leaves?
- Why are there spots on my oleander leaves?
- Why is my oleander not blooming?
- How do I fix root rot in my oleander?
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.