Brown Leaf Tips on Tropical Plants: Humidity, Water Quality, Watering

Diagnosing Brown Tips on Palms, Wollemi Pine, and Tropicals

Michelle's tropical plants and rare Wollemi pine have brown leaf tips; some palms yellow.

Top Three Causes

1. Low humidity – use pebble trays with water.
2. Water quality – fluoride, chlorine, lime in tap water. Use distilled water.
3. Improper watering – let top 1–2 inches dry, then water until it drains.

Most filters don't remove fluoride. Distilled water is best for sensitive plants.