Should I trim off the brown tips?

You can trim the brown parts with clean scissors for a tidier look. Avoid cutting into the healthy green tissue to prevent further damage.

Is my tap water causing this?

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

Creeping buttercup: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Touch the soil to see if it has dried out completely.
Check the humidity levels in the room where the plant is kept.
Inspect the drainage holes to ensure water is not sitting in the saucer.

Likely causes

Underwatering
Most likely
How to tell: The soil feels dry to the touch, and the tips of the leaves become crispy and brown. The edges may also curl inward.
What to do: Water your plant thoroughly until water drains from the bottom of the pot. Maintain a schedule where you water every 2 to 4 days to keep the soil consistently damp.
Low humidity
Possible
How to tell: The leaf tips turn brown even though the soil remains moist. This is common in dry indoor environments during the winter.
What to do: Place a pebble tray filled with water under the pot to increase ambient moisture. You can also mist the leaves lightly every few days.

Find out what's wrong with your creeping buttercup

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 usually a minor cosmetic issue, but if the browning spreads to the whole leaf, your plant is likely suffering from severe dehydration.

Stopping it coming back

Maintain a consistent watering schedule and keep the soil damp at all times to prevent stress.

Keep your creeping buttercup 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.

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

Questions people ask

Should I trim off the brown tips?: You can trim the brown parts with clean scissors for a tidier look. Avoid cutting into the healthy green tissue to prevent further damage.
Is my tap water causing this?: Sometimes mineral buildup in tap water can cause tip burn. If you suspect this, try using filtered or rainwater for a few weeks.

Why are my creeping buttercup's leaf tips turning brown?