Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the soil moisture with your finger.
- Inspect the leaves for signs of aphids.
- Observe the plant during the hottest part of the day.
Likely causes
Underwatering
PossibleHow to tell: The soil feels bone dry several inches down and the edges of the leaves look crispy or brittle.
What to do: Increase your watering frequency to every 7 days during hot spells. Ensure you soak the soil thoroughly so moisture reaches the deep roots.
Excessive Heat
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn brown during the hottest part of the summer despite the soil feeling damp.
What to do: Apply a thin layer of organic mulch around the base to keep the roots cool. If the plant is in a container, move it to a spot with some afternoon shade.
Find out what's wrong with your hairy 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.
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When to worry
It is normal for older, lower leaves to brown as the plant reaches the end of its life cycle. Worry only if the browning spreads rapidly to new growth.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain consistent soil moisture and apply mulch to protect the root zone from extreme heat.
Hairy vetch: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your hairy 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
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Questions people ask
- Should I trim off the brown tips?
- Yes, you can snip them off with clean scissors to keep the plant looking tidy. It will not hurt the plant.
- Is this a sign of a fungal infection?
- Usually not. Fungal issues like powdery mildew appear as white spots rather than brown, crispy tips.
Guides to these causes
More problems with hairy vetch
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.