Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check if the soil is completely dry.
- Review your recent fertilizer application history.
- Look for signs of wisteria scale on the stems.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips turn brown and crispy, and the leaves may start to curl. The soil will feel dry and pull away from the edges of the pot.
What to do: Water the plant thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes. Aim to keep the soil consistently moist by watering every 3 to 7 days depending on the heat.
Fertilizer burn
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn brown and brittle even though the soil is moist. This often happens after applying too much concentrated fertilizer.
What to do: Flush the soil with plenty of plain water to wash away excess salts. Avoid fertilizing for at least 6 weeks to let the roots recover.
Find out what's wrong with your japanese wisteria
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
A few brown tips are common during the heat of midsummer. Worry if the browning spreads inward toward the leaf veins or affects the majority of the foliage.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the soil evenly moist and avoid over fertilizing during the hottest parts of the year.
Japanese wisteria: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your japanese wisteria 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
- Does misting help brown tips?
- Misting provides only temporary relief and does not solve the underlying moisture issue. It is better to focus on deep, consistent watering.
- Can I trim the brown tips off?
- You can trim the brown parts with clean scissors, but try not to cut into the healthy green tissue. This keeps the plant looking better without stressing it.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Japanese wisteria
- Why is my Japanese wisteria not flowering?
- Why are there spots on my Japanese wisteria leaves?
- What are these pests on my Japanese wisteria?
- Why are my Japanese wisteria leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my Japanese wisteria drooping?
- Why is my Japanese wisteria dropping leaves?
- Why is my Japanese wisteria suffering from root rot?
- Why is my Japanese wisteria growing so leggy?
Back to the Japanese wisteria 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.