Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Feel the potting medium to see if it is completely dry.
- Check the humidity levels in the room.
- Look at the water source you are using.
Likely causes
Low Humidity
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips of the fronds become dry and crispy while the rest of the plant looks healthy. This happens often in homes with air conditioning or heating.
What to do: Mist your fern daily or place it on a tray filled with pebbles and water. You can also move the plant to a bathroom where the air stays naturally humid.
Mineral Buildup
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn brown even when the soil feels moist. This is often caused by salts or chlorine found in tap water.
What to do: Switch to using filtered, distilled, or rainwater for your fern. Flush the root ball thoroughly with clean water once a month to wash away accumulated salts.
Find out what's wrong with your staghorn fern
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
It is normal for the oldest shield fronds to turn brown and dry up as they age. You should only worry if the new, green antler fronds are showing crispy tips.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain consistent moisture levels and use filtered water to keep the fronds lush and green.
Staghorn fern: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your staghorn fern 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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Should I trim the brown tips off?
- Yes, you can trim them with clean, sharp scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
- Does misting really help?
- Misting provides a temporary boost in humidity that helps the fronds stay hydrated. It is a great way to supplement the environment for tropical plants.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Staghorn fern
- How do I get rid of pests on my Staghorn Fern?
- Is my Staghorn Fern suffering from root rot?
- Why are my staghorn fern's leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my staghorn fern drooping?
- Why is my staghorn fern losing its fronds?
- Why are there brown or black spots on my staghorn fern?
- Why is my staghorn fern looking thin and leggy?
- Why are my staghorn fern fronds curling?
Back to the Staghorn fern 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.