Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the water level in your pot or pond.
- Feel the soil to ensure it is saturated.
- Inspect the leaves for signs of salt buildup from tap water.
Likely causes
Low water levels
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil surface feels dry to the touch or the water level in the container has receded below the crown.
What to do: Top off your container with water so the soil is completely covered. Maintain a water depth of 2 to 6 inches above the soil line at all times.
Low humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn brown even though the soil is wet, often during very hot and dry summer days.
What to do: Mist the leaves with water during the heat of the day. Ensure the plant is in a location with good airflow to prevent fungal issues.
Find out what's wrong with your broadleaf cattail
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 the very oldest, lowest leaves to brown as they age. Worry if the browning is spreading rapidly across the new growth.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the plant in a consistently wet environment and avoid letting the soil surface dry out even for a single day.
Broadleaf cattail: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your broadleaf cattail 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
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Questions people ask
- Should I trim the brown tips off?
- Yes, you can trim them with clean scissors to improve the look of the plant. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
- Does tap water cause brown tips?
- Sometimes, high levels of chlorine or minerals in tap water can cause tip burn. If you suspect this, try using collected rainwater instead.
More problems with Broadleaf cattail
Back to the Broadleaf cattail guide
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.