Can I trim the brown tips off?

You can trim the brown parts off with clean scissors, but try to leave a tiny sliver of brown so you do not cut into the healthy green tissue. Cutting into healthy tissue can cause a new wound that might brown again.

Does this plant need high humidity?

It prefers moderate humidity. While it does not need a greenhouse, it does not like being in bone dry air, especially during the summer.

Wood speedwell: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check the humidity levels in your growing area.
Inspect the soil surface for white mineral deposits.
Evaluate if the plant is near a heating vent or drafty window.

Likely causes

Low Humidity
Most likely
How to tell: The tips of the leaves turn brown and brittle, especially during the heat of summer or in dry indoor conditions. The rest of the leaf may look healthy but lose its vibrant green color.
What to do: Group your plants together to create a more humid microclimate. You can also mist the foliage lightly in the morning or place a tray of pebbles and water near the plant.
Mineral Buildup
Possible
How to tell: Brown tips appear even when the soil feels moist, and you might see a white crust on the surface of the soil. This happens when tap water salts accumulate in the root zone.
What to do: Flush the soil by running clean, filtered water through the pot for several minutes. In the future, try to use rainwater or distilled water to avoid adding more minerals.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your wood speedwell

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

Brown tips are rarely fatal, but they indicate the plant is not perfectly happy with its environment. It is normal to see a few brown tips if the weather has been particularly hot and dry.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the plant away from direct airflow from vents and use filtered water if your tap water is very hard.

Wood speedwell: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your wood speedwell 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?: You can trim the brown parts off with clean scissors, but try to leave a tiny sliver of brown so you do not cut into the healthy green tissue. Cutting into healthy tissue can cause a new wound that might brown again.
Does this plant need high humidity?: It prefers moderate humidity. While it does not need a greenhouse, it does not like being in bone dry air, especially during the summer.

Guides to these causes

Salt Stress

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