Check these first
- Feel the soil to see if it is dry.
- Check the humidity levels in your room.
- Look for signs of salt buildup on the soil surface.
Likely causes
Low humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The tips of the leaves become dry, crispy, and brown. This is common in homes with central heating or dry air.
What to do: Group your plants together to create a more humid microclimate. You can also place a tray of water and pebbles near the plant.
Underwatering
PossibleHow to tell: The soil feels very dry and pulls away from the edges of the pot. The leaves may also look wilted or droopy.
What to do: Water the plant thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes. Stick to a schedule of checking the soil every 3 to 7 days.
Find out what's wrong with your american vetch
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
Worry if the brown patches start moving inward toward the center of the leaves. A tiny bit of brown on the very edge is usually just a sign of normal household conditions.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy and keep the plant away from direct heater vents.
American vetch: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your american vetch 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
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Will the brown tips turn green again?
- No, the brown parts are dead tissue and will not recover. You can trim them off with scissors if you do not like the look.
- Does tap water cause brown tips?
- Sometimes minerals in tap water can build up in the soil and cause tip burn. If you suspect this, try using filtered or rainwater for a few weeks.
Guides to these causes
More problems with American vetch
- Why are there bugs on my American vetch?
- Why are there white spots on my American vetch?
- Why is my American vetch drooping?
- Why are my American vetch leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my American vetch dropping its leaves?
- Why is my American vetch not flowering?
- Why is my American vetch showing signs of root rot?
- Why is my American vetch looking leggy?
- Why are my American vetch leaves curling?
Back to the American vetch 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.
