Should I trim the brown tips off?

Yes, you can trim the brown parts off with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.

Does tap water cause brown tips?

Sometimes, high mineral content in tap water can cause tip burn. If you suspect this, try using filtered or rainwater for a few weeks.

Greater stitchwort: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check if the soil is dry and pulling away from the edges of the pot.
Feel the leaf tips to see if they are crispy or soft.
Assess the humidity level in the room where the plant is kept.

Likely causes

Underwatering
Most likely
How to tell: The leaf tips become dry, crispy, and brown while the soil feels completely dry to the touch.
What to do: Water the plant thoroughly until moisture runs out of the drainage holes. Stick to a schedule of checking the soil every 3 to 7 days to keep it consistently damp.
Low humidity
Possible
How to tell: The tips turn brown and brittle, especially if the plant is kept in a very dry indoor environment.
What to do: Mist the leaves occasionally or place the plant on a tray filled with pebbles and water. This helps create a more humid microclimate around the foliage.

Find out what's wrong with your greater stitchwort

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

Brown tips are rarely fatal but indicate the plant is struggling with its environment. It is normal to see some browning at the very end of the season as the plant prepares to go dormant.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the soil damp and avoid placing the plant near heat vents or drafty windows.

Keep your greater stitchwort 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.

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Questions people ask

Should I trim the brown tips off?: Yes, you can trim the brown parts off with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
Does tap water cause brown tips?: Sometimes, high mineral content in tap water can cause tip burn. If you suspect this, try using filtered or rainwater for a few weeks.

Why are my Greater stitchwort's leaf tips turning brown?