Should I trim the brown tips off?

You can trim them for aesthetic reasons, but be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue. Use clean, sharp scissors.

Is my plant dying if the tips are brown?

Not necessarily. It is usually just a sign that the plant is struggling with its environment, not that it is dying.

Philodendron Birkin: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Feel the soil to see if it is consistently dry.
Check the air humidity levels in your home.
Examine the water source you are using.

Likely causes

Low humidity
Most likely
How to tell: The tips of the leaves become dry, crispy, and brown. This often happens in winter when indoor heating dries out the air.
What to do: Group your plants together to create a humid microclimate. You can also place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water.
Mineral buildup
Possible
How to tell: The tips turn brown even when the soil is moist. This is often caused by salts or chlorine in tap water.
What to do: Flush the soil with distilled or filtered water to wash away excess salts. Switch to using rainwater or filtered water for future waterings.

Find out what's wrong with your philodendron birkin

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.

When to worry

Brown tips are rarely fatal, but they do indicate the plant is stressed. It is normal for the very oldest leaves to develop small brown spots as they age.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the humidity around 40 to 60 percent. Use filtered water to prevent salt accumulation in the soil.

Keep your philodendron birkin 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.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Should I trim the brown tips off?: You can trim them for aesthetic reasons, but be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue. Use clean, sharp scissors.
Is my plant dying if the tips are brown?: Not necessarily. It is usually just a sign that the plant is struggling with its environment, not that it is dying.

Why are my philodendron's leaf tips turning brown?