Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check if the soil has dried out completely.
- Review how much fertilizer you have used recently.
- Feel the soil to see if it is soggy or dry.
Likely causes
Inconsistent watering
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips turn brown and crispy while the rest of the leaf looks healthy.
What to do: Establish a regular watering routine every 2 to 4 days. Ensure the soil stays moist but never soggy to prevent stress.
Fertilizer burn
PossibleHow to tell: The leaf tips turn brown or yellow quickly after you have applied fertilizer.
What to do: Flush the soil with plenty of plain water to wash away excess salts. Avoid over-fertilizing your spinach in the future.
Find out what's wrong with your spinach
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
If the browning spreads rapidly to the rest of the leaf, the plant is in trouble. It is normal for the very oldest, bottom leaves to brown as the plant matures.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain a steady moisture level and use fertilizer sparingly.
Keep your spinach 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?
- Yes, you can trim them off with clean scissors to keep the plant looking tidy. It won't hurt the plant.
- Is my spinach safe to eat if it has brown tips?
- Yes, just trim off the brown parts and wash the rest of the leaf well.
More problems with Spinach
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.