Should I trim off the brown tips?

You can trim them for aesthetic reasons, but it is not strictly necessary. Use clean, sharp scissors to avoid damaging the healthy tissue.

Does full sun cause brown tips?

Black raspberries love full sun, but they need enough water to support that growth. If they are in full sun and dry out, the tips will brown quickly.

Black raspberry: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Feel the soil two inches down to check for dryness.
Check if you have applied fertilizer recently.
Examine the mulch layer to ensure it is thick enough.

Likely causes

Inconsistent Watering
Most likely
How to tell: The tips turn brown and crispy while the rest of the leaf looks dull. This happens when the soil dries out completely between waterings.
What to do: Water your plants every 5 to 10 days to keep the soil consistently moist. Apply a layer of mulch around the base to help the soil retain moisture longer.
Fertilizer Burn
Possible
How to tell: Brown tips appear shortly after you apply fertilizer. The edges of the leaves may also look scorched.
What to do: Flush the soil with plenty of water to wash away excess salts. Avoid fertilizing again until the plant shows signs of new, healthy growth.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your black raspberry

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 serious if the browning spreads to the entire leaf or causes the plant to stop producing fruit. Minor browning on older leaves is normal as the season progresses.

Stopping it coming back

Maintain a steady watering schedule and use a balanced fertilizer sparingly. Mulching helps keep the soil moisture stable throughout the summer.

Black raspberry: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your black raspberry 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.

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

Questions people ask

Should I trim off the brown tips?: You can trim them for aesthetic reasons, but it is not strictly necessary. Use clean, sharp scissors to avoid damaging the healthy tissue.
Does full sun cause brown tips?: Black raspberries love full sun, but they need enough water to support that growth. If they are in full sun and dry out, the tips will brown quickly.

Guides to these causes

Salt Stress

Why are my black raspberry leaves getting brown tips?

Check these first

Not sure what's wrong with your black raspberry?