Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the soil moisture by sticking your finger an inch deep.
- Feel the texture of the brown tips to see if they are crispy.
- Examine the air quality around the plant for drafts.
Likely causes
Inconsistent watering
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips turn brown and crispy while the rest of the leaf remains green. This happens when the soil dries out completely between waterings.
What to do: Water your plant every 2 to 5 days to keep the soil consistently damp. Never let the top inch of soil dry out.
Low humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The leaf edges and tips become dry and brittle even if the soil is moist. This is common in homes with central heating or air conditioning.
What to do: Mist the leaves daily or place a tray of water and pebbles near the base of the plant. This creates a more humid microclimate for the foliage.
Find out what's wrong with your water figwort
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
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When to worry
A few brown tips are usually just a sign of a missed watering. Worry if the browning spreads to the entire leaf or affects the whole plant.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the soil evenly moist and avoid placing the plant near heat vents or fans.
Water figwort: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your water figwort 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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Should I trim off the brown tips?
- You can trim them for aesthetic reasons, but it is not strictly necessary. Use sharp scissors and follow the natural shape of the leaf.
- Does tap water cause brown tips?
- Sometimes, high mineral content in tap water can cause tip burn. If you suspect this, try using filtered or rainwater instead.
More problems with Water figwort
- Why is my Water figwort drooping?
- Why are there bugs on my Water figwort?
- Why is my water figwort looking so leggy?
- Why are my Water figwort leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my water figwort dropping its leaves?
- Why are there spots on my Water figwort leaves?
- Why is my Water figwort not blooming?
- Why are my Water figwort leaves curling?
Back to the Water figwort guide
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.