Should I trim the brown tips off?

You can trim them for aesthetic reasons using clean scissors. Cut just outside the green tissue to avoid damaging the healthy part of the leaf.

Does my willow flower?

Eared willows produce catkins in the spring, though they are more common in outdoor garden settings. They need a full season of consistent moisture and bright light to bloom.

Eared willow: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check the soil moisture to see if it dried out.
Examine the water quality you are using.
Look at the humidity levels in your room.

Likely causes

Inconsistent moisture
Possible
How to tell: The tips turn brown and crispy because the plant experienced a dry spell. This willow requires constant moisture to keep its foliage hydrated.
What to do: Water every 2 to 5 days to keep the soil evenly moist. Consider using a tray with pebbles and water under the pot to increase local humidity.
Mineral buildup
Possible
How to tell: The tips turn brown even when the soil is moist. This is often caused by salts or chemicals in tap water accumulating in the leaf tissue.
What to do: Flush the soil with distilled or rainwater to wash out excess salts. Use filtered water for future waterings to prevent further buildup.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your eared willow

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

Brown tips are rarely fatal but indicate the plant is not perfectly happy. It is normal to see slight browning if the plant is near a heat vent.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the soil consistently damp and avoid placing the plant near direct heat sources.

Eared willow: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your eared willow 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 the brown tips off?: You can trim them for aesthetic reasons using clean scissors. Cut just outside the green tissue to avoid damaging the healthy part of the leaf.
Does my willow flower?: Eared willows produce catkins in the spring, though they are more common in outdoor garden settings. They need a full season of consistent moisture and bright light to bloom.

Guides to these causes

Salt Stress

Why are my eared willow's leaf tips turning brown?