Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check your recent fertilizer application history.
- Test your soil moisture to ensure it is not too dry.
- Inspect the fruit for signs of blossom end rot.
Likely causes
Excessive Fertilizer
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips turn brown and brittle while the rest of the leaf looks dark green. This happens when too much nitrogen or salt accumulates in the soil.
What to do: Flush the soil with plenty of plain water to wash away excess salts. Avoid fertilizing for 2 to 3 weeks until the plant shows signs of recovery.
Calcium Deficiency
PossibleHow to tell: It is less common for this plant, but usually caused by irregular watering preventing calcium uptake. You might see brown tips alongside blossom end rot on the fruit.
What to do: Water your plants on a strict schedule to keep moisture levels steady. Add a calcium rich amendment like garden lime to the soil before planting next season.
Find out what's wrong with your tomato
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 to see some minor browning on the very lowest, oldest leaves as the plant ages.
Stopping it coming back
Use a balanced fertilizer sparingly and keep the soil moisture consistent throughout the growing season.
Keep your tomato 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
- Can I fix brown tips by cutting them off?
- You can trim the brown parts for aesthetics, but it does not fix the underlying issue. Focus on correcting the soil moisture or fertilizer levels instead.
- Is my water causing the brown tips?
- If you have very hard water, mineral salts can build up in the soil. Try using rainwater or filtered water for a few weeks to see if it helps.
More problems with Tomato
- Why are my tomato plant's leaves turning yellow?
- Why are there dark spots on my tomato leaves?
- Why is my tomato plant drooping?
- Why is my tomato plant not flowering?
- What is eating my tomato plant?
- Why is my tomato plant so tall and thin?
- Why are my tomato plant leaves curling?
- Why is my tomato plant dropping its leaves?
- Why are my tomato plant roots rotting?
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.