Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Feel the soil to see if it is bone dry.
- Check for fuzzy gray mold on the leaves.
- Observe if the browning is worse on the sunniest side of the plant.
Likely causes
Inconsistent Watering
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaf tips turn dry and crispy while the rest of the leaf may remain green. This happens when the soil dries out completely for too long.
What to do: Water your peony deeply every 7 to 14 days, ensuring the water reaches the root zone. Apply a 2 inch layer of mulch around the base to help the soil hold moisture.
Botrytis Blight
PossibleHow to tell: This fungal issue starts as brown spots that can spread to the tips, often appearing after wet, cool weather. You might see fuzzy gray mold on the undersides of leaves.
What to do: Remove and destroy all infected foliage immediately to stop the spread. Improve air circulation around the plant by thinning out nearby shrubs or weeds.
Find out what's wrong with your peony
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 tips is often just a reaction to a hot summer day. If the browning spreads rapidly toward the center of the leaf, it is likely a fungal infection.
Stopping it coming back
Water at the base of the plant rather than overhead to keep the leaves dry. Mulch helps maintain a steady moisture level in the soil.
Keep your peony healthy from here
Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.
Questions people ask
- Should I cut off the brown tips?
- Yes, you can trim them off with clean scissors to make the plant look better. Just be sure to disinfect your tools between cuts.
- Is my peony getting too much sun?
- Peonies love full sun, but if they are in a very hot climate, they might appreciate light afternoon shade. If the tips are brown, try providing some shade during the hottest part of the day.
More problems with Peony
This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.