Can I trim the brown tips off?

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

Does tap water cause brown tips?

Sometimes the minerals in tap water can build up in the soil and cause tip burn. If you suspect this, try using filtered or rainwater for a few weeks.

Burnet saxifrage: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check if the soil feels bone dry to the touch.
Look for gaps between the soil and the pot wall.
Assess the humidity levels in your room.

Likely causes

Underwatering
Most likely
How to tell: The leaf tips turn crispy and brown while the rest of the leaf feels dry. The soil pulls away from the edges of the pot.
What to do: Water the plant thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes. Maintain a schedule of checking the soil every 7 to 14 days.
Low Humidity
Possible
How to tell: The tips brown slowly over time even when the soil is moist. This often happens in homes with dry heating or air conditioning.
What to do: Group your plant with others to create a more humid microclimate. You can also place a tray of water and pebbles near the base of the plant.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your burnet saxifrage

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

A few brown tips are common and not a major concern. Worry if the browning starts moving inward toward the center of the leaves.

Stopping it coming back

Keep a consistent watering routine and avoid placing the plant directly in front of heating vents or fans.

Burnet saxifrage: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your burnet saxifrage 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

Can I trim the brown tips off?: You can trim the brown parts off with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
Does tap water cause brown tips?: Sometimes the minerals in tap water can build up in the soil and cause tip burn. If you suspect this, try using filtered or rainwater for a few weeks.

Guides to these causes

Dehydration

Why are my burnet saxifrage leaf tips turning brown?