Should I cut off the brown tips?

You can trim the brown parts with clean scissors for aesthetics. It will not hurt the plant, but it will not fix the underlying cause.

Does this affect the fruit?

Minor tip browning usually does not affect the fruit. However, severe stress from lack of water will lead to smaller or dried out berries.

Blackberry: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check if the soil has been dry for more than a week.
Look at your recent fertilizer application history.
Examine the soil surface for white crusty salt deposits.

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 plant goes through cycles of being too dry and then too wet.
What to do: Establish a consistent routine of watering every 3 to 7 days. Use a layer of mulch around the base to help keep the soil moisture steady.
Fertilizer burn
Possible
How to tell: The tips turn brown suddenly after you have applied 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 for at least 4 to 6 weeks to let the plant recover.

Find out what's wrong with your blackberry

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

Worry if the browning spreads from the tips to the entire leaf, causing it to fall off. A few brown tips on older leaves at the bottom of the plant are normal.

Stopping it coming back

Water deeply and evenly to ensure moisture reaches the entire root system. Use organic compost instead of strong synthetic fertilizers to prevent salt buildup.

Keep your blackberry 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 cut off the brown tips?: You can trim the brown parts with clean scissors for aesthetics. It will not hurt the plant, but it will not fix the underlying cause.
Does this affect the fruit?: Minor tip browning usually does not affect the fruit. However, severe stress from lack of water will lead to smaller or dried out berries.

Why are my blackberry leaves turning brown at the tips?