Is your houseplant ailing and showing its condition with brown tips? What is needed now is quick and, above all, correct action so that the brown color does not spread to the entire plant. With these tips you can save your houseplant in no time.
What are the causes of brown tips on houseplants and how to save them?
Brown tips on houseplants can be caused by a change of location, frost, lack of water, or iron deficiency. To save the plant, increase the humidity, protect it from cold, optimize watering and provide it with enough iron in the substrate.
Possible causes
Change location
Brown tips on houseplants mainly occur in the winter months. The change of location required for overwintering is to blame. While some plants enjoy fresh air and warm sunshine in summer, they suffer from heated rooms and increasing darkness in winter. Exotic plants in particular exhibit the symptoms mentioned. To increase the humidity, you should
- spray the plant regularly
- set up an indoor fountain
- cover small plants with foil
- place a water bowl next to the plant
Tip
Add a few drops of lavender oil to the water bowl. The essential aromas keep pests away.
Frost
Houseplants can also suffer frost damage. Just 10 minutes of cold drafts are enough to harm heat-loving plants. Especially in winter, make sure that your houseplants are not exposed to airflow when airing.
Water shortage
Brown tips can also be a sign of a lack of water. The thumb test will help you determine when it is time for the next watering. To do this, press lightly into the substrate with your thumb. Does the earth feel dry? Then you should give the houseplant water. If the top layer of substrate has not yet dried, you should wait to prevent waterlogging. When a houseplant needs water depends entirely on the species and location. In bright locations, water evaporates more quickly, which is why water requirements increase.
Tip
If the brown tips are the result of a lack of water, you should still not overwater the plant. Simply start supplying the plant with sufficient quantities. The houseplant will soon recover on its own.
Iron deficiency
Iron deficiency is another reason for brown tips. On the one hand, it is possible that the substrate is too poor in nutrients anyway. On the other hand, it can also be too calcareous. Lime inhibits the absorption of iron by the roots. If you don't fix the cause, the houseplant can suffer from chlorosis. These measures help against iron deficiency:
- use captured rainwater for watering
- Use special iron fertilizer (€6.00 on Amazon)
- Renew substrate
Note: Overfertilization can also lead to brown tips on the houseplant.
