NOVEMBER PLANT CARE
Why does my spider plant have brown tips?
Brown tips have several causes. Start with the pot and watering history, rather than adding more fertilizer.
For indoor Chlorophytum comosum. The photo shows the plant, not a diagnosed case.
Care at a glance
- Moisture
- Let the mix dry slightly between thorough waterings.
- Water quality
- Fluoride and accumulated salts can contribute to tip burn.
- Recovery
- Dead tips will not become green again.
Three simple steps
Check more than the tips
Feel below the surface and empty standing water. Crisp tips can follow excessive drying; soft bases or widespread yellowing with wet soil need a root check.
Reduce avoidable stress
Keep away from hot heating airflow. Pause unnecessary feeding. If water quality seems involved, try distilled water or clean collected rainwater; simply standing tap water does not remove dissolved salts.
Keep useful green leaves
Leave the green leaf area intact. For appearance, trim only the dead edge with clean scissors. Keep watering consistent and observe newly emerging leaves.
Judge new growth
Photograph the tips now. Look for less damage on new leaves; repeated trimming alone does not fix the cause.
Quick questions
Should I mist it every day?
Misting cannot correct fertilizer salts or unhealthy roots. Check moisture, drainage and the room first.
Does every brown tip mean root rot?
No. Investigate roots when browning accompanies persistent wetness, soft tissue or continuing collapse.
Sources & picture note
- Wisconsin Extension: Spider plant, Chlorophytum comosum
- NC State Extension: Chlorophytum comosum
- Virginia Cooperative Extension: Properly Watering Container Houseplants
Compiled with AI assistance from the linked sources. This guide has not had an independent horticultural review.
Plant photograph for identification; it does not demonstrate the symptoms or treatment.
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