Diagnostic Guide
Why are the tips and edges of my plant's leaves turning brown?
Check recent watering, fertilizing, and indoor humidity before treating this as a disease.
Last reviewed: August 6, 2026 · Sources: Penn State Extension, Clemson Cooperative Extension
Start with the visible pattern
| What you see | Most likely cause | Check first |
|---|---|---|
| Browning limited to tips and margins outdoors | Leaf scorch from heat, wind, or drought | Check recent watering and weather |
| Browning after a recent heavy feeding | Fertilizer salt burn | Review recent fertilizing history |
| Crispy tips on an indoor tropical plant, worse in winter | Low indoor humidity | Check room humidity, especially near heating vents |
Check whether the browning is confined to tips and margins, with otherwise normal leaf color and shape. Scorch does not typically cause spots or a powdery coating.
Simple checks before you buy anything
Most garden problems have more than one possible cause. Start with the simplest explanation.
- Review recent heat, wind, or missed watering.
- Review recent fertilizing history for a possible salt buildup.
- For indoor plants, check whether the room is especially dry, particularly during heating season.
Most likely causes to check first
Leaf scorch
Confidence: 70%Leaf scorch is tissue damage at the tips and edges of leaves from heat, wind, drought, or a buildup of fertilizer salts, and it does not reverse once it appears.
- Check whether browning is limited to tips and margins rather than spreading in blotches across the leaf.
- Review recent heat, wind exposure, or missed waterings.
- Review recent fertilizing, since over-fertilizing can scorch leaves the same way drought does.
Low humidity
Confidence: 45%Tropical houseplants evolved in humid conditions, and dry indoor air, especially during heating season, causes crispy brown tips and edges that won't turn green again.
- Check whether the browning is worse in winter or right after the heat or AC kicked on for the season.
- Rule out fertilizer buildup first by checking for a white crust on the soil surface or pot rim.
- Compare the plant's native humidity needs to the room it's actually in.
Reference material used on this page
Penn State Extension
Watering, drainage, and root stress
Publication date: 2025
Visit sourceClemson Cooperative Extension
Houseplant care, humidity, and common indoor pests
Publication date: 2025
Visit sourceGet the free GardenMD Quick Reference Guide
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