Should I trim the brown tips off?

You can trim the brown parts off with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.

Is this a sign of a disease?

Brown tips are usually environmental. If you see dark, spreading spots instead of dry tips, that could be a sign of blight.

Wild potato: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check if the air in your home feels very dry.
Look at the soil surface for any white mineral crust.
Feel the brown tips to see if they are dry or mushy.

Likely causes

Low humidity
Possible
How to tell: The tips of the leaves turn dry and crispy while the rest of the leaf remains green. This often happens in winter when indoor heating is running.
What to do: Place a tray of water and pebbles near the plant to increase local humidity. You can also group it with other plants to create a more humid microclimate.
Mineral buildup
Possible
How to tell: The leaf tips turn brown and brittle, and you might see a white crust on the soil surface. This is caused by salts or chemicals in tap water.
What to do: Switch to using filtered or distilled water for your plant. Flush the soil with plenty of clean water once a month to wash out accumulated minerals.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your wild potato

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

Worry if the brown spots start spreading rapidly toward the center of the leaves. It is normal for the very oldest leaves at the bottom of the plant to brown slightly as they age.

Stopping it coming back

Maintain consistent humidity and use filtered water to keep the foliage healthy and free of salt damage.

Wild potato: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your wild potato 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 the brown parts off with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
Is this a sign of a disease?: Brown tips are usually environmental. If you see dark, spreading spots instead of dry tips, that could be a sign of blight.

Guides to these causes

Salt Stress

Why do my Solanum etuberosum leaves have brown tips?

Check these first

Not sure what's wrong with your wild potato?