Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Feel the top inch of soil to see if it is dry.
- Check the humidity level in your room.
- Inspect the leaf tips for signs of crispness.
Likely causes
Low Humidity
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips turn crisp and brown while the rest of the leaf stays green. This happens when the air drops below 60 percent humidity.
What to do: Mist the leaves daily with a spray bottle. You can also place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water to create a humid microclimate.
Inconsistent Watering
PossibleHow to tell: The soil feels bone dry to the touch before you water again. The leaves may also feel brittle.
What to do: Stick to a strict watering schedule every 2 to 4 days. Ensure the soil stays evenly moist but never sitting in standing water.
Find out what's wrong with your cupuacu
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
Worry if the browning spreads rapidly toward the center of the leaf. A tiny bit of tip burn is normal in non tropical climates.
Stopping it coming back
Keep your Cupuacu away from air conditioning vents or heaters that dry out the air.
Cupuacu: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your cupuacu 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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Should I cut off the brown tips?
- Yes, you can trim them with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just avoid cutting into the healthy green tissue.
- Does tap water cause brown tips?
- Sometimes, if your water has high mineral content. Try using filtered or rainwater if you suspect chemical buildup.
More problems with Cupuacu
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.