Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check if the air in the room feels very dry.
- Feel the soil to see if it has dried out completely.
- Move the plant away from heating or cooling vents.
Likely causes
Low Humidity
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips of the leaves are dry, crispy, and brown.
What to do: Place a humidifier nearby or group your plants together to create a more humid microclimate. You can also mist the leaves occasionally.
Inconsistent Watering
PossibleHow to tell: The soil is bone dry between waterings, causing the plant to stress.
What to do: Try to water on a more regular schedule every 3 to 7 days. Do not let the soil dry out completely.
Find out what's wrong with your 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.
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When to worry
Brown tips are rarely fatal but indicate the plant is not perfectly happy. It is normal to see slight browning if the air is naturally dry during winter months.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the plant away from drafts and maintain a steady, damp soil environment.
Lousewort: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your 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
- Can I trim the brown tips off?
- Yes, you can trim the brown parts with clean scissors. Try to follow the natural shape of the leaf tip.
- Does tap water cause brown tips?
- Sometimes minerals in tap water can build up. If you suspect this, try using filtered or rainwater for a few weeks.
More problems with lousewort
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.