Should I cut off the brown tips?

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

Is this a sign of a disease?

Usually, brown tips are environmental. If you see white powdery spots, that would be powdery mildew, which is a different issue.

Japanese dandelion: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Feel the soil to see if it has been dry for too long.
Check if you have been using heavy fertilizers recently.
Examine the water source you are using for your plants.

Likely causes

Inconsistent moisture
Most likely
How to tell: The leaf tips turn dry, crispy, and brown while the rest of the leaf remains green. This happens when the soil dries out completely for too long.
What to do: Water your plant every 3 to 7 days, or whenever the top inch of soil feels dry. Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy.
Mineral buildup
Possible
How to tell: The tips turn brown and brittle even when the soil is moist. This is often caused by high salt or mineral content in tap water or over fertilization.
What to do: Flush the soil with plenty of distilled or rainwater to wash away excess salts. Avoid using chemical fertilizers for a few weeks to let the plant recover.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your japanese dandelion

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

It is normal for the oldest, lowest leaves to brown and die as the plant grows. Worry if the browning is happening on the new, central leaves.

Stopping it coming back

Water consistently and use rainwater or filtered water if your tap water is very hard.

Japanese dandelion: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your japanese dandelion 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 cut off the brown tips?: You can trim the brown parts with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
Is this a sign of a disease?: Usually, brown tips are environmental. If you see white powdery spots, that would be powdery mildew, which is a different issue.

Guides to these causes

Salt Stress

Why are the tips of my Japanese dandelion leaves turning brown?