Check these first
- Touch the leaf tips to see if they are dry and brittle.
- Check the soil to see if it has become completely dry.
- Measure the humidity levels in your room if possible.
Likely causes
Low Humidity
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips of the leaves become dry, crispy, and brown while the rest of the leaf remains green. This is common in dry indoor air during winter.
What to do: Place a pebble tray filled with water near the plant to increase local humidity. You can also group it with other plants to create a more humid microclimate.
Inconsistent Watering
PossibleHow to tell: The leaves look wilted and the tips turn brown because the plant went too long without water. The soil will feel very dry and pulled away from the edges of the pot.
What to do: Water the plant thoroughly until water drains out the bottom. Aim to keep the soil evenly moist by checking it every 3 to 7 days.
Find out what's wrong with your canadian lousewort
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
Worry if the brown patches start moving toward the center of the leaf or if the whole plant begins to wilt. Minor browning on the very tips is often just a reaction to environmental changes.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the soil evenly moist and avoid placing the plant near heating vents or drafty windows.
Canadian lousewort: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your canadian lousewort 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
- Will the brown tips turn green again?
- No, the brown parts are dead tissue and will not recover. You can trim the brown edges off with scissors if you do not like how they look.
- Does tap water cause brown tips?
- Sometimes, if your tap water has high mineral content, it can cause salt buildup that leads to brown tips. Try using filtered or rainwater if you suspect this is the issue.
More problems with Canadian lousewort
Back to the Canadian lousewort 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.
