Should I trim the brown tips off?

You can trim the brown tips with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue of the leaf.

Does tap water cause brown tips?

Sometimes, if your tap water has high mineral content, it can cause salt buildup in the soil that leads to brown tips. If you suspect this, try using filtered or rainwater for a few weeks.

Mouse-ear hawkweed: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check if the soil has been allowed to get too dry for too long.
Examine the leaf tips to see if they are crispy or soft.
Look for signs of powdery mildew, which can sometimes cause leaf damage that looks like browning.

Likely causes

Inconsistent watering
Most likely
How to tell: The tips of the leaves turn crispy and brown while the rest of the leaf looks dull. This happens when the plant goes through extreme cycles of being bone-dry and then suddenly soaked.
What to do: Establish a more consistent routine by checking the soil every 7 days. Water thoroughly until liquid runs out the bottom, then wait until the soil is dry before watering again.
Low humidity
Possible
How to tell: The leaf edges and tips slowly turn brown and brittle over time. This is more common if the plant is kept in a very dry indoor environment with high heat.
What to do: Move the plant to a spot with better airflow or outdoors where natural humidity is higher. Avoid misting the leaves, as this can encourage fungal issues like powdery mildew.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your mouse-ear hawkweed

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

Minor browning on the very tips is usually just a sign of environmental stress and is not fatal. Worry if the browning starts spreading rapidly toward the center of the leaves or if the whole plant begins to wilt.

Stopping it coming back

Maintain a steady watering schedule and ensure the plant is in a location with good air circulation.

Mouse-ear hawkweed: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your mouse-ear hawkweed 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.

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

Questions people ask

Should I trim the brown tips off?: You can trim the brown tips with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue of the leaf.
Does tap water cause brown tips?: Sometimes, if your tap water has high mineral content, it can cause salt buildup in the soil that leads to brown tips. If you suspect this, try using filtered or rainwater for a few weeks.

Why are the tips of my mouse-ear hawkweed turning brown?