Should I trim off the brown tips?

You can snip them 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, if your water is very hard or high in chlorine. Letting your water sit out for 24 hours before using it can help.

Redcurrant: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Stick your finger two inches into the soil to check for dryness.
Examine the soil surface for white mineral deposits.
Check if the plant is getting too much direct afternoon sun.

Likely causes

Inconsistent Watering
Most likely
How to tell: The leaf tips turn dry and crispy while the rest of the leaf may remain green. This happens when the soil dries out completely for too long.
What to do: Water your plant every 5 to 10 days to keep the soil consistently moist. Add a layer of organic mulch around the base to help retain moisture in the soil.
Salt Accumulation
Possible
How to tell: This is less common for this plant, but it usually happens due to heavy use of chemical fertilizers. You might see a white crust on the soil surface along with the brown leaf tips.
What to do: Flush the soil by running plenty of water through the pot or ground area to wash away excess salts. Switch to a balanced organic fertilizer to prevent future buildup.

Find out what's wrong with your redcurrant

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 older leaves to develop small brown edges as they age. Be concerned if the browning is spreading rapidly across new growth or if the entire leaf is wilting.

Stopping it coming back

Maintain a steady watering schedule and use a layer of mulch to keep the root zone cool and hydrated.

Keep your redcurrant 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 snip them 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, if your water is very hard or high in chlorine. Letting your water sit out for 24 hours before using it can help.

Why are the tips of my redcurrant leaves turning brown?