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Snow pea · Pisum sativum var. saccharatum

Why are my snow pea tips turning brown?

It is less common for snow peas to have brown tips, which usually happens due to inconsistent watering or salt buildup in the soil. Check your watering schedule first.

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Check these first

  1. Feel the soil to see if it has dried out completely.
  2. Check if you have applied fertilizer recently.
  3. Look for signs of wilting in the rest of the plant.

Likely causes

  1. Inconsistent Watering

    Most likely

    How to tell: The tips turn brown and crispy because the plant is drying out between waterings. This is most common when pods are forming and the plant needs extra moisture.

    What to do: Water every 2 to 4 days to keep the soil evenly moist. Apply a layer of mulch around the base to help hold moisture in the ground.

  2. Fertilizer Burn

    Possible

    How to tell: The tips turn brown and brittle shortly after you apply fertilizer. This happens when the concentration of salts in the soil is too high.

    What to do: Flush the soil with plenty of plain water to wash away excess salts. Avoid fertilizing again until the plant shows signs of recovery.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your snow pea

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.

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When to worry

Brown tips are a minor issue unless they spread to the entire leaf or stem. It is normal for the very oldest leaves at the base to brown as the plant ages.

Stopping it coming back

Maintain a steady watering routine and avoid over fertilizing your peas.

Snow pea: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your snow pea 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.

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Questions people ask

Should I trim the brown tips off?
You can snip them off with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons, but it will not fix the underlying cause. Focus on your watering instead.
Does this mean my plant is dying?
Not necessarily. It is a warning sign that your plant is stressed, but it can usually bounce back with better care.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Snow pea

Back to the Snow pea guide

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.