Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Feel the top inch of soil to see if it is dry.
- Check the drainage holes to ensure water is moving through the pot.
- Inspect the plant for any signs of pests that might be stressing the leaves.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil feels dry to the touch and the leaves may look slightly wilted or brittle at the edges.
What to do: Water your plant thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes. Maintain a schedule where you water every 2 to 5 days to keep the soil evenly moist.
Low Humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn brown even though the soil remains moist, often occurring in homes with central heating or air conditioning.
What to do: Group your plants together to create a more humid microclimate. You can also place a tray of pebbles and water near the plant to increase local humidity.
Find out what's wrong with your creeping 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.
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When to worry
Worry if the browning spreads rapidly across the entire leaf or affects new growth. It is normal for the oldest, lowest leaves to occasionally brown as the plant grows.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the soil consistently moist and avoid placing the plant directly in front of heating or cooling vents.
Creeping speedwell: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your creeping 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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
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Questions people ask
- Should I trim the brown tips off?
- Yes, you can trim the brown parts with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
- Does tap water cause brown tips?
- Sometimes, if your tap water has high mineral content, it can cause salt buildup that leads to tip burn. Try using filtered water if you suspect this is the issue.
Guides to these causes
More problems with creeping speedwell
Back to the creeping speedwell 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.