Should I trim the brown tips off?

Yes, you can trim them with clean scissors for a tidier look. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.

Does tap water cause brown tips?

Sometimes the minerals in tap water can build up. If your water is very hard, try using filtered or rainwater instead.

Flamingo Willow: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Touch the top inch of soil to see if it is dry.
Check if the pot feels light when you lift it.
Look for any nearby heat sources drying out the air.

Likely causes

Underwatering
Most likely
How to tell: The soil feels dry to the touch and the edges of the leaves are crispy.
What to do: Water your willow thoroughly until liquid drains from the bottom. Maintain a schedule of watering every 2 to 4 days to keep the soil consistently moist.
Low Humidity
Possible
How to tell: The soil is moist but the tips are still browning in a dry room.
What to do: Mist the leaves daily or place a pebble tray filled with water under the pot. Keep the plant away from heating vents or drafty windows.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your flamingo 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

If the browning spreads rapidly to the center of the leaves, your plant is severely dehydrated. A few brown tips on older leaves are normal as the plant grows.

Stopping it coming back

Keep a consistent watering schedule and ensure the soil never dries out completely.

Flamingo Willow: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your flamingo 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?: Yes, you can trim them with clean scissors for a tidier look. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
Does tap water cause brown tips?: Sometimes the minerals in tap water can build up. If your water is very hard, try using filtered or rainwater instead.

Guides to these causes

Dehydration

Why are my Flamingo Willow leaves getting brown tips?