Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the soil moisture to see if it is drying out too much.
- Feel the air around the plant to see if it is very dry.
- Look for any signs of pests like mealybugs.
Likely causes
Low humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The tips of the leaves turn dry and crispy while the rest of the leaf looks healthy. This often happens in winter when indoor heating is on.
What to do: Place the plant on a pebble tray filled with water or use a humidifier nearby. Mist the leaves occasionally to increase the local humidity.
Inconsistent watering
PossibleHow to tell: The leaves have brown, brittle edges because the plant has dried out too much between waterings. The soil feels very dry and hard.
What to do: Water the plant more consistently when the top inch of soil is dry. Do not let the soil dry out completely for long periods.
Find out what's wrong with your pepper plant
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
When to worry
Worry if the browning spreads to the center of the leaves. It is normal for the very oldest leaves at the bottom to brown and drop as the plant ages.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain steady humidity and keep to a regular watering schedule.
Keep your pepper plant 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.
Questions people ask
- Should I cut off the brown tips?
- You can trim the brown parts with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
- Does tap water cause brown tips?
- Sometimes mineral buildup in tap water can cause issues. If you suspect this, try using filtered or distilled water for a few weeks.
More problems with Pepper plant
- Why are there white cottony bugs on my pepper plant?
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- Why are the leaves on my pepper plant turning yellow?
- Why is my pepper plant drooping?
- Why is my pepper plant getting leggy?
- Why is my Piper plant losing its leaves?
- Why does my Piper have spots on its leaves?
- Why is my Piper plant not flowering?
- Why are my pepper plant leaves curling?
Back to the Pepper plant guide
This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.