Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the soil surface for white salt deposits.
- Feel the soil to see if it is bone dry or consistently soggy.
- Look at the location to see if a heater is blowing directly on the plant.
Likely causes
Mineral buildup
Most likelyHow to tell: You may see a white crust on the soil surface or the rim of the pot. The tips turn crispy and brown while the rest of the leaf remains green.
What to do: Flush the soil by running clean, filtered water through the pot for several minutes. Ensure the water drains completely out of the bottom holes. Avoid using softened water which contains high salt levels.
Low humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The tips dry out slowly and the plant looks generally thirsty despite moist soil. This happens most often during winter when indoor heating is running.
What to do: Move the plant away from direct heat vents or radiators. You can also place a tray of pebbles and water near the base to increase local humidity.
Find out what's wrong with your common rue
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. It is normal for the very oldest, lowest leaves to brown slightly as the plant matures.
Stopping it coming back
Use filtered water and ensure your pot has excellent drainage to prevent mineral salts from accumulating.
Keep your common rue 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.
Questions people ask
- Should I trim the brown tips off?
- Yes, you can snip them off with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just avoid cutting into the healthy green tissue.
- Does tap water hurt my rue?
- In many areas, tap water is fine, but if your water is heavily treated with chlorine or minerals, it can cause tip burn. Try switching to rainwater or filtered water if you notice persistent issues.
More problems with Common Rue
- Why is my common rue wilting and the roots look mushy?
- Why is my common rue growing tall and sparse?
- Why are the leaves on my common rue turning yellow?
- Why is my common rue drooping?
- Why is my common rue dropping its leaves?
- Why does my common rue have spots on its leaves?
- Why is my common rue not flowering?
- What are these pests on my common rue?
This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.