Brown crispy edges on leaves: causes and fixes

Causes and how to tell them apart

1. Not enough water[1]

   How to tell: Leaves are wilted and the soil is very dry a few centimetres down. Older leaves at the base may yellow and fall first.

2. Dry air[1]

   How to tell: Worst in winter with the heating on. Leaves look shrivelled and crispy, with brown tips and edges, and buds or leaves drop early.

3. Sun scorch[2][1][3]

   How to tell: The plant sits in strong direct sun. Damage shows as pale, bleached or washed-out areas that turn brown and brittle, and it is worse when the soil is dry.

4. Heat stress or a hot spot[1]

   How to tell: Leaves wilt, roll, bleach and go crispy in a very hot room, or the plant sits close to a radiator.

5. Fertilizer salt build-up[4]

   How to tell: Leaf margins brown or die back, and you may see a white crust on the soil or salt marks outside the pot.

6. Drafts[1]

   How to tell: The plant is near a draughty door or window, and leaves yellow and dry at the edges.

What to do, step by step

1. Check the soil with a finger. If it is very dry, water.[1]
2. Water thoroughly so water runs out of the bottom of the pot. A very dry pot may need several rounds of watering.[5]
3. Raise humidity by grouping plants or standing the pot on a tray of damp pebbles.[1]
4. Move plants out of strong direct sun and away from radiators.[1]
5. If salts are the cause, flush the soil with clear water and use fertilizer at the correct rate.[4]
6. Trim off the browned parts if you want. New browning will return unless the cause is fixed.[6]

How to prevent it

• Check soil moisture and water only when necessary, not on a fixed schedule.[1]
• Move plants to new light levels slowly.[3]
• Keep plants away from radiators and other direct heat sources.[1]
• Use the right fertilizer at the correct rate and frequency.[4]