Can I trim the brown tips off?

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

Is my water quality the problem?

If you have very salty or chlorinated water, it can cause tip burn. Try using distilled water for a few weeks to see if the condition improves.

Princess Flower: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check if the soil is bone dry.
Feel the air around the plant for dryness.
Look for salt buildup on the soil surface.

Likely causes

Low humidity
Most likely
How to tell: The leaf tips turn dry and crispy while the rest of the leaf looks fine. This is common in dry indoor air.
What to do: Mist the leaves daily or place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water. Grouping plants together can also increase the local humidity.
Underwatering
Possible
How to tell: The leaves feel brittle and the tips turn brown. The soil feels dry well below the top inch.
What to do: Water the plant thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes. Maintain a schedule of watering every 3 to 7 days depending on the heat.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your princess flower

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

A little browning is common in dry summer heat. Worry if the brown patches start moving toward the center of the leaf.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the soil consistently moist and maintain a humid environment, especially during winter.

Princess Flower: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your princess flower 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

Can I trim the brown tips off?: Yes, you can trim the brown parts with clean scissors. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
Is my water quality the problem?: If you have very salty or chlorinated water, it can cause tip burn. Try using distilled water for a few weeks to see if the condition improves.

Guides to these causes

Dehydration

Why are the tips of my Princess Flower leaves turning brown?

Check these first

Not sure what's wrong with your princess flower?