Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the soil moisture by sticking your finger a few centimeters into the dirt.
- Inspect the leaves for any signs of pests like aphids.
- Confirm the plant is receiving enough direct sunlight.
Likely causes
Underwatering
PossibleHow to tell: The soil feels bone dry and the leaves may feel brittle or crispy to the touch.
What to do: Water your Salvia thoroughly until water drains from the bottom of the pot. Ensure you are watering every 5 to 10 days, allowing only the top few centimeters of soil to dry out.
Low Humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn brown while the rest of the leaf remains green and the soil is consistently moist.
What to do: Move your plant to a spot with better air circulation. Avoid misting the leaves directly as this can encourage fungal issues.
Find out what's wrong with your salvia
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 leaves at the base to brown and fall off as the plant grows.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain a consistent watering schedule and ensure the plant has plenty of space for air to flow around its leaves.
Keep your salvia 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 trim the brown parts with clean scissors to keep the plant looking tidy. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
- Does tap water cause brown tips?
- Sometimes, if your tap water has high mineral content, it can cause salt buildup in the soil. Try using filtered water for a few weeks to see if it helps.
More problems with Salvia
- What are these bugs on my sage plant?
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- Why is my Salvia drooping?
- Why are there spots on my Salvia leaves?
- Why is my Salvia not blooming?
- Why are my sage leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my Salvia dropping its leaves?
- Why does my Salvia have root rot?
- Why are my Salvia leaves curling?
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.