Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Feel the top inch of soil to see if it is dry.
- Check the air around the plant for drafts or heating vents.
- Inspect the leaves for signs of pests like slugs.
Likely causes
Low Humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn crisp and brown while the rest of the blade stays green. This often happens in dry indoor air or during hot summer months.
What to do: Mist the foliage with water every few days to increase local humidity. You can also place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water to create a humid microclimate.
Underwatering
PossibleHow to tell: The soil feels bone dry and the grass blades look dull or slightly shriveled. The brown tips will feel brittle to the touch.
What to do: Water the plant thoroughly until moisture runs out of the drainage holes. Ensure you are watering every 5 to 10 days when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Find out what's wrong with your mondo grass
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
If the browning spreads to the base of the plant or the entire clump turns brown, it may be a sign of root rot. Occasional browning on older outer leaves is normal as the plant grows.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy and maintain a stable environment away from direct heat sources.
Mondo grass: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your mondo grass 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 trim off the brown tips?
- Yes, you can trim the brown tips with clean scissors to improve the look of the plant. It will not harm the grass to remove the dead tissue.
- Can tap water cause brown tips?
- Sometimes, high mineral content in tap water can cause salt buildup that leads to brown tips. If you suspect this, try using filtered or rainwater instead.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Mondo grass
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.