Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Feel the soil 3 inches down to see if it is bone dry.
- Check how long ago the plant was installed in the garden.
- Observe if the browning happens only during extreme heat waves.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips turn brown and crispy while the rest of the leaf looks dull. This is most common in young plants that have not yet developed deep roots.
What to do: Water the plant deeply every 7 to 14 days during its first growing season. Ensure the water reaches 6 to 10 inches deep into the soil.
Heat stress
PossibleHow to tell: The tips brown during the peak of a very hot, dry summer. The plant may look slightly wilted during the hottest part of the day.
What to do: Apply a 2 inch layer of mulch around the base to keep the roots cool and retain moisture. Water during the early morning to minimize evaporation.
Find out what's wrong with your indiangrass
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
It is normal for older, lower leaves to brown at the tips as the season progresses. Worry if the new growth at the center of the clump is also turning brown.
Stopping it coming back
Establish a deep watering routine during the first year and use mulch to protect the root zone from extreme heat.
Indiangrass: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your indiangrass 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.
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Questions people ask
- Should I trim the brown tips?
- You can trim them for aesthetic reasons, but it does not fix the underlying cause. Use sharp shears to make clean cuts.
- Is my plant dying?
- Probably not. Indiangrass is very resilient and usually recovers once it gets enough water or the weather cools down.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Indiangrass
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.