Skip to content
Pocket Botanist
Get the app

Firethorn · Pyracantha coccinea

Why are my Firethorn leaves getting brown tips?

It is less common for Firethorn to develop brown tips, and this usually points to low humidity or inconsistent watering. Check your watering schedule to see if the plant is drying out too much between sessions.

Check these first

  1. Check the soil to see if it has been dry for too long.
  2. Review your recent fertilizing habits.
  3. Examine the plant for signs of fireblight, which can cause scorched looking tips.

Likely causes

  1. Underwatering

    Possible

    How to tell: The tips of the leaves turn crispy and brown while the rest of the leaf feels dry. The soil pulls away from the edges of the pot.

    What to do: Water the plant deeply until water runs out of the drainage holes. Aim to water every 7 to 14 days, ensuring the top few inches of soil dry out before the next drink.

  2. Fertilizer Burn

    Possible

    How to tell: Brown tips appear shortly after you have applied fertilizer. This happens when the salt concentration in the soil becomes 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 new, healthy growth.

Find out what's wrong with your firethorn

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.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

When to worry

Worry if the brown tips are accompanied by wilting branches, which could indicate fireblight. It is normal to see slight browning if the plant has been exposed to very dry winds.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged and avoid over fertilizing.

Keep your firethorn 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.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

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

Questions people ask

Will the brown tips turn green again?
No, the brown parts are dead tissue and will not recover. You can trim them off with clean scissors if you dislike the look.
Does tap water cause brown tips?
Sometimes, if your water is very hard or contains high levels of chlorine. Try using rainwater if you suspect your tap water is the issue.

More problems with Firethorn

Back to the Firethorn 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.