Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the soil moisture to see if it is too dry or soggy.
- Examine the water you use for high mineral content.
- Look for aphid clusters that might be stressing the leaves.
Likely causes
Inconsistent Watering
PossibleHow to tell: It is less common for this plant, but fluctuating moisture levels often cause the delicate leaf edges to dry out and turn brown. You will see the tips crisp up while the rest of the leaf stays green.
What to do: Establish a regular watering rhythm by checking the soil every 3 to 7 days. Ensure the top inch of soil is dry before you add more water.
Salt Buildup
PossibleHow to tell: It is less common for this plant, but using hard water or over fertilizing can cause mineral salts to accumulate in the soil, burning the leaf tips. The tips will look dry and brittle.
What to do: Flush the soil with distilled or filtered water to wash away excess salts. Avoid using chemical fertilizers, as nasturtiums thrive best in lean soil.
Find out what's wrong with your nasturtium
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
If the browning spreads rapidly to the whole leaf, it is a sign of a larger issue like root stress. It is normal for the very oldest leaves at the base of the plant to brown and die as the plant ages.
Stopping it coming back
Water consistently and use filtered water if your tap water is very hard or heavily chlorinated.
Keep your nasturtium 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.
Questions people ask
- Should I cut off the brown tips?
- You can trim the brown tips with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. It will not harm the plant to remove the dead tissue.
- Are brown tips a sign of a disease?
- Usually not, they are almost always environmental. Focus on fixing the watering or light conditions first.
More problems with Nasturtium
- Why are my nasturtium leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my nasturtium not producing any flowers?
- What are these bugs on my nasturtium?
- Why is my nasturtium drooping?
- Why is my nasturtium growing so leggy?
- Why is my nasturtium dropping leaves?
- Why are there spots on my nasturtium leaves?
- Why is my nasturtium wilting from root rot?
- Why are my nasturtium leaves curling?
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.