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Sea almond · Terminalia catappa

Why are my Sea almond's leaf tips turning brown?

It is less common for this plant to have brown tips, and it usually happens because of low humidity or inconsistent watering. Check your soil moisture level first to see if it has dried out too much.

Check these first

  1. Feel the top inch of soil to check for dryness.
  2. Check the humidity levels in your room.
  3. Examine the leaf edges for signs of crispness.

Likely causes

  1. Low Humidity

    Most likely

    How to tell: The tips turn crisp and brown while the rest of the leaf remains green. This happens when the air is too dry for the plant to transpire properly.

    What to do: Place a pebble tray filled with water under the pot to boost local humidity. You can also mist the leaves every morning to keep them hydrated.

  2. Inconsistent Watering

    Possible

    How to tell: The soil feels bone dry and the leaf tips look brittle. This occurs when the plant goes too long between waterings.

    What to do: Stick to a schedule of watering every 3 to 7 days. Ensure the soil stays consistently moist but never let it sit in standing water.

Find out what's wrong with your sea almond

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 develop minor brown tips as they age. Worry if the browning is spreading rapidly to new, healthy growth.

Stopping it coming back

Maintain a steady watering routine and keep the plant away from direct air conditioning or heater vents. Consistent care keeps the foliage lush.

Keep your sea almond 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.

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Questions people ask

Should I trim the brown tips off?
You can trim them for aesthetic reasons using clean scissors. Just be careful not to cut into the green part of the leaf.
Is my water quality causing this?
Sometimes high salt or mineral content in tap water can cause tip burn. Try using filtered or rainwater if you suspect your tap water is the culprit.

More problems with Sea almond

Back to the Sea almond guide

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.