Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Feel the soil to see if it is bone dry.
- Check the weather for recent heat waves.
- Inspect the roots for signs of drought stress.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaf tips become dry, crispy, and brown while the soil feels parched.
What to do: Increase your watering frequency to every 2 to 3 days. Make sure the water reaches deep into the root zone rather than just wetting the surface.
Low humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The tips brown slowly even when the soil is moist.
What to do: While maize is an outdoor plant, ensure it is not blocked from natural airflow. If growing in a greenhouse, improve ventilation.
Find out what's wrong with your maize
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
Minor browning on the very tips is common in hot weather. Worry if the brown patches start moving down the leaf toward the stem.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the soil evenly moist throughout the growing season, especially when the plant is forming silks.
Maize: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your maize 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
- Should I cut off the brown tips?
- You can trim the brown parts with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just avoid cutting into the healthy green tissue.
- Does fertilizer burn cause brown tips?
- Yes, applying too much fertilizer can cause tip burn. Always dilute your fertilizer as directed and water thoroughly afterward.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Maize
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.