Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check if the tips are crispy or soft.
- Evaluate the quality of the water you are using.
- Observe if the plant is near a heat source.
Likely causes
Inconsistent Watering
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips are dry, crispy, and brown while the rest of the leaf looks okay. This happens when the plant goes too long between soaks.
What to do: Establish a regular soaking schedule every 5 to 10 days. If your home is very dry, consider soaking for a longer duration.
Mineral Buildup
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn brown even when you water regularly, often with a slight crusty appearance. This is common if you use hard tap water.
What to do: Switch to using filtered, rain, or spring water for your soaks. Avoid using softened water as the salts can damage the plant.
Find out what's wrong with your air plant
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
Brown tips are rarely fatal, but they are a sign that your care routine needs a tweak. It is normal for the very oldest, lowest leaves to brown as the plant grows.
Stopping it coming back
Use high quality water and maintain a consistent soaking routine. Keep the plant away from direct heat sources like radiators or vents.
Air plant: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your air plant 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
- Can I trim the brown tips off?
- Yes, you can carefully trim the brown tips with clean scissors. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
- Does tap water hurt air plants?
- Tap water is usually fine, but if it is very hard or heavily chlorinated, it can cause tip burn over time. Using filtered water is a safer bet.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Air plant
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.