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Geranium · Pelargonium

Why are my geranium's leaf tips turning brown?

It is less common for geraniums to get brown tips, but it usually happens due to low humidity or inconsistent watering. Check your watering schedule first to see if the plant is drying out too much between drinks.

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Check these first

  1. Check if the soil is completely dry.
  2. Look for heat sources near the plant.
  3. Inspect the leaves for signs of pests.

Likely causes

  1. Inconsistent Watering

    Possible

    How to tell: The soil is bone dry and the leaves feel crispy or brittle. The edges of the leaves turn brown and curl inward.

    What to do: Establish a regular schedule where you check the soil every 3 days. Give the plant a thorough soak until water runs out of the drainage holes.

  2. Low Humidity

    Possible

    How to tell: The tips are brown but the soil is consistently moist. This often happens when the plant is kept near a hot vent or in very dry indoor air.

    What to do: Move the plant away from direct heat sources like radiators or vents. Geraniums prefer good air circulation rather than high humidity.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your geranium

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 they indicate the plant is stressed. If the browning spreads to the whole leaf, the plant is struggling to maintain its health.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the soil moisture consistent and avoid placing your geranium in the path of hot, dry air currents.

Geranium: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your geranium 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.

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Questions people ask

Should I trim the brown tips off?
Yes, you can trim the brown parts with clean scissors to keep the plant looking tidy. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
Does my geranium need misting?
No, geraniums do not like to be misted. Misting can lead to fungal issues like Botrytis.

More problems with Geranium

Back to the Geranium 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.