Why Are Plant Leaves Turning Brown? Tips & Fixes

Brown, crispy tips (necrosis) are annoying. Once the tissue is dead, it won’t turn green again. But you can stop it from spreading.

Cause 1: Low Humidity (Most Common)

• The Suspects: Calathea, Ferns, Peace Lilies, Palms.
• The Fix: Humidifier. Misting is not enough.

Cause 2: Inconsistent Watering

• The Issue: Letting the plant dry out too much repeatedly.
• The Fix: Check soil more frequently. Don’t wait for the plant to faint.

Cause 3: Water Quality (Chemical Burn)

• The Issue: Fluoride, Chlorine, and Salts in tap water.
• The Suspects: Spider Plants, Dracaena, Calathea.
• The Fix: Use distilled water, rain water, or filtered water. Leaving tap water out overnight (off-gassing) helps with Chlorine but not Fluoride/Chloramine.

Can I Cut the Brown Parts Off?

Yes! Use sterilized scissors to trim the brown edge. Leave a tiny sliver of brown so you don’t cut into live green tissue (which would cause a new brown edge).