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Indian hawthorn · Rhaphiolepis indica

Why are my Indian hawthorn's leaf tips turning brown?

It is less common for an Indian hawthorn to have brown tips, and this usually happens due to salt buildup from fertilizers or inconsistent watering. Check your soil moisture first to see if the plant is drying out too much between waterings.

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Check these first

  1. Check the soil moisture level with your finger.
  2. Inspect the leaf tips for signs of crispiness.
  3. Look for white crusty buildup on the soil surface.

Likely causes

  1. Salt accumulation

    Possible

    How to tell: The tips turn crispy and brown while the rest of the leaf remains green. This often happens if you use heavy synthetic fertilizers.

    What to do: Flush the soil by running water through the pot or root zone for several minutes. Switch to a balanced, slow release fertilizer applied once in early spring.

  2. Underwatering

    Possible

    How to tell: The soil feels bone dry and the tips of the leaves start to curl and brown. The plant may look slightly wilted overall.

    What to do: Water the plant deeply until water drains from the bottom. Ensure you are watering every 7 to 14 days when the top few inches of soil feel dry.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your indian hawthorn

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.

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When to worry

Worry if the browning spreads rapidly toward the center of the leaves. A few older leaves with brown tips are normal as the plant ages.

Stopping it coming back

Water deeply to wash away excess salts and maintain a consistent watering schedule.

Indian hawthorn: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your indian hawthorn 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.

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Questions people ask

Should I trim the brown tips off?
Yes, you can trim them for aesthetic reasons. Use clean, sharp scissors and cut just outside the green tissue.
Does tap water cause brown tips?
Sometimes high mineral content in tap water can lead to salt buildup. If you suspect this, try using collected rainwater.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Indian hawthorn

Back to the Indian hawthorn guide

This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.