Should I trim the brown tips off?

Yes, you can trim them with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just avoid cutting into the healthy green tissue.

Does tap water cause brown tips?

Sometimes, if your water is very high in minerals or chlorine. Try using filtered or rainwater if you suspect your tap water is the culprit.

Common polypody: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Touch the top inch of soil to see if it is dry.
Check the air around the plant for drafts or heat vents.
Inspect the fronds for signs of crispy texture.

Likely causes

Low Humidity
Most likely
How to tell: The tips turn crisp and brown while the rest of the frond looks healthy. This happens often in homes with central heating or air conditioning.
What to do: Place your fern on a pebble tray filled with water to boost local humidity. You can also mist the fronds lightly every morning or group it with other plants.
Underwatering
Most likely
How to tell: The soil feels bone dry and the fronds may start to feel brittle or papery. The brown tips will progress further down the frond if left unwatered.
What to do: Water your plant thoroughly until liquid drains from the bottom of the pot. Ensure you are checking the top inch of soil every 3 to 7 days and watering as soon as it feels slightly dry.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your common polypody

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

It is normal for the oldest, lowest fronds to brown as they age. Worry if the new growth is showing brown tips immediately.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the soil consistently moist and maintain a humid environment away from direct heat sources.

Common polypody: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your common polypody 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 the brown tips off?: Yes, you can trim them with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just avoid cutting into the healthy green tissue.
Does tap water cause brown tips?: Sometimes, if your water is very high in minerals or chlorine. Try using filtered or rainwater if you suspect your tap water is the culprit.

Guides to these causes

Dehydration

Why are the tips of my Common polypody turning brown?

Check these first

Not sure what's wrong with your common polypody?