Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the soil moisture to see if it has dried out completely.
- Look at the air vents nearby to see if they are blowing dry air on the plant.
- Feel the leaf texture to see if it is crispy or soft.
Likely causes
Low Humidity
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips of the leaves become dry, crispy, and brown while the rest of the leaf looks healthy. This is common in homes with air conditioning or heating.
What to do: Group your plants together to create a microclimate or place a pebble tray filled with water beneath the pot. You can also mist the leaves lightly in the morning.
Underwatering
PossibleHow to tell: The entire plant looks slightly wilted and the leaf edges turn brown and brittle. The soil will feel hard and pull away from the sides of the pot.
What to do: Water the plant thoroughly until water runs out of the bottom. Aim to keep the soil evenly moist by watering every 3 to 7 days.
Find out what's wrong with your knotweed
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 inward toward the center of the leaf. Small, occasional brown tips are often just a reaction to changing indoor conditions.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the plant away from direct drafts and maintain a steady watering rhythm.
Knotweed: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your knotweed 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
- Does tap water cause brown tips?
- Sometimes, if your tap water has high mineral content, it can cause buildup that leads to brown tips. Try using filtered or rainwater if you notice this issue.
- Will the brown tips turn green again?
- No, the brown parts are dead tissue and will not recover. You can trim the brown edges with scissors for a cleaner look.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Knotweed
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.