Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the soil moisture with your finger.
- Inspect the leaves for signs of spider mites.
- Ensure the pot has proper drainage holes.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil feels bone dry deep down and the leaves look wilted or crispy at the edges.
What to do: Water your marigold thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes. Aim to keep the top inch of soil consistently moist but not soggy.
Low Humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn brown and brittle even though the soil feels moist.
What to do: Move your plant to a spot with better air circulation. Avoid misting the leaves directly as this can encourage fungal growth.
Find out what's wrong with your marigold
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, it may be a sign of root stress. A few brown tips on older leaves are normal as the plant ages.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain a consistent watering schedule and ensure your marigold gets plenty of direct sunlight.
Keep your marigold 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 off?
- Yes, you can snip them off with clean scissors to keep the plant looking tidy. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
- Can tap water cause brown tips?
- Sometimes, if your water is very high in salts or minerals, it can cause buildup in the soil. Try using filtered water for a few weeks to see if it helps.
More problems with Marigold
- Why are there bugs on my marigold?
- Why are there spots on my marigold leaves?
- Why are my marigold leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my marigold drooping?
- Why is my marigold growing so leggy?
- Why is my marigold wilting and yellowing?
- Why is my marigold dropping its leaves?
- Why is my marigold not producing any flowers?
- Why are my marigold leaves curling?
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.