Should I trim the brown tips off?

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

Does tap water cause brown tips?

It can if your water is very high in minerals or chlorine. If you suspect this, let your tap water sit out overnight before using it to water your plant.

Feverfew: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check if the soil has pulled away from the sides of the pot.
Feel the soil to see if it has been dry for too long.
Check the air around the plant for drafts from vents or fans.

Likely causes

Inconsistent Watering
Most likely
How to tell: The tips turn crispy and brown while the rest of the leaf feels dry. The soil feels bone dry to the touch.
What to do: Water your plant thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes. Try to maintain a schedule where you water every 3 to 7 days, depending on how fast the soil dries.
Low Humidity
Possible
How to tell: The leaf edges and tips dry out even though the soil is moist. This is more common in homes with central heating or air conditioning.
What to do: Group your plant with others to create a more humid microclimate. You can also place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and a little water to increase local humidity.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your feverfew

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

Brown tips are rarely fatal but indicate the plant is unhappy with its environment. If the brown patches start spreading to the center of the leaves, take action immediately.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy, and keep the plant away from direct airflow from heaters or air conditioners.

Feverfew: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your feverfew 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?: Yes, you can trim the brown parts off with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
Does tap water cause brown tips?: It can if your water is very high in minerals or chlorine. If you suspect this, let your tap water sit out overnight before using it to water your plant.

Why are my Feverfew's leaf tips turning brown?