Should I trim off the brown tips?

You can trim them for aesthetic reasons using clean scissors. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.

Does misting help with brown tips?

Misting provides only temporary humidity and is not as effective as a humidifier. It is better to focus on consistent watering and ambient humidity.

Staghorn fern: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Feel the moss to see if it is completely dry.
Check the humidity level in the room.
Look for signs of heat stress from nearby vents.

Likely causes

Underwatering
Most likely
How to tell: The frond tips turn crispy and brown, and the entire plant feels lighter than usual. The moss mount feels bone dry to the touch.
What to do: Submerge the entire root ball in a basin of water for 15 to 20 minutes until it is fully saturated. Increase your watering frequency slightly if the plant dries out too fast.
Low Humidity
Possible
How to tell: The tips are brown and brittle, even though the moss feels damp. This is common in homes with air conditioning or heating that dries out the air.
What to do: Group your plant with other ferns or place it in a bathroom where humidity is naturally higher. You can also run a humidifier nearby to keep the air moist.

Brown tips on other plants

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.

When to worry

Minor browning at the very tips is common and not a major concern. If the browning is spreading rapidly toward the base of the fronds, you need to adjust your care.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your fern away from direct heat or air conditioning vents. Maintain a consistent soaking schedule based on the dryness of the medium.

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.

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

Questions people ask

Should I trim off the brown tips?: You can trim them for aesthetic reasons using clean scissors. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
Does misting help with brown tips?: Misting provides only temporary humidity and is not as effective as a humidifier. It is better to focus on consistent watering and ambient humidity.

Guides to these causes

Dehydration

Why are the tips of my Staghorn Fern turning brown?

Check these first

Not sure what's wrong with your staghorn fern?