Check whether it is still changing
Compare a photo with the leaf a few days later. Old dead tissue remains brown even after the cause is corrected.
Topic
Brown Tips
A dry point, a sun-facing patch, and a soft spreading lesion need different checks. Choose the shape of damage before changing care.
Useful checks and guides
Where to start
What it could be
Tips and narrow margins
What you may see: Dry browning begins at a point or edge.
Next check: Check root-ball moisture, heating airflow, and fertilizer deposits. Water quality matters for some plants, including spider plants and dracaenas.
Fixed exposed patches
What you may see: Tan papery damage appeared after stronger sun or handling.
Next check: Filter the damaging exposure and retain green leaf tissue.
Expanding soft spots
What you may see: Lesions enlarge, look water-soaked, or appear on neighboring leaves.
Next check: Separate the plant and keep foliage dry while identifying the cause. A halo alone cannot name a disease.
Fine scarring or speckling
What you may see: Silver streaks, pale dots, black specks, or webbing.
Next check: Inspect both leaf surfaces for thrips or mites.
By plant
Brown Tips by plant
Choose your plant for more specific advice.
Pothospothos brown spotsCheck leaf damage, pests, watering, and sun exposure.Open guideMonsteramonstera brown spotsUse texture and location to separate scorch, root stress, and pests.Open guideFiddle Leaf Figfiddle leaf fig brown spotsRead spot texture, watering swings, root stress, and light history.Open guidePeace Lilypeace lily brown tipsCheck dry air, minerals, watering rhythm, and root stress.Open guideCalatheacalathea brown tipsCheck mineral buildup, dry air, uneven moisture, and mites.Open guideSpider Plantspider plant brown tipsCheck salts, dry air, watering swings, and crowded roots.Open guide
More guides
Brown Tips & Leaf Damage3 min read
Brown Tips on Houseplants: Water, Salts, and Dry Air
Check the root ball, fertilizer history, water source, and air near the leaves. Brown tips are permanent, but the cause of fresh tip burn can be corrected.
Read the guide
Plant-Specific Guides3 min read
Why Is My Peace Lily Drooping?
Feel the root ball before watering. Dry soil, wet roots, and a dry center after repotting can all leave a peace lily limp.
Read the guide
Watering Problems2 min read
How to Save a Dying Houseplant: What to Do Today
Check for a dry root ball, wet decay, pests, or a recent temperature or light change. Follow the matching rescue route and keep healthy tissue.
Read the guide
Plant-Specific Guides3 min read
Fiddle Leaf Fig Brown Spots: Causes and Checks
Use the spot’s location, texture, and change over time to decide whether to check roots, exposure, pests, or leaf disease.
Read the guide
Watering Problems3 min read
How Often Should I Water My Houseplants?
Check the same pot by soil depth and weight. Ferns, foliage plants, and drought-tolerant plants need different amounts of drying between waterings.
Read the guide
Brown Tips & Leaf Damage2 min read
Why Are My Plant Leaves Curling?
Timing narrows the cause: sudden curl in a dry pot, midday curl near hot glass, a leaf that stays rolled, or new growth opening distorted.
Read the guide
Plant-Specific Guides3 min read
Calathea Leaves Curling: Causes and Fixes
Normal nighttime leaf movement changes the leaf’s angle. Persistent rolled blades call for a moisture, heat, humidity, and mite check.
Read the guide
Brown Tips & Leaf Damage2 min read
Brown Spots vs Brown Tips: Where to Look First
Use the mark’s starting point, texture, and rate of change to choose between watering, salt buildup, sun damage, pests, and a closer disease check.
Read the guide
Plant-Specific Guides3 min read
Spider Plant Brown Tips: Water, Salts, or Crowded Roots?
Check new center leaves, water quality, fertilizer use, and the thick storage roots before deciding how to fix brown tips.
Read the guide
Plant-Specific Guides3 min read
Rubber Plant Dropping Leaves: What Changed?
Check recent moves, wet or dry roots, and sticky pest residue to find why a rubber plant is losing leaves.
Read the guide
Plant-Specific Guides3 min read
Aloe Leaves Turning Brown: What the Texture Tells You
Feel the leaf and the center of the rosette to separate sun-related color changes, dry scars, cold damage, and soft rot.
Read the guide