Plant guide:🕷ïļ Spider Plant
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Leaves

Brown Tips on Spider Plant Leaves

Commonly affects: Chlorophytum comosum (Spider Plant)

The tips of the arching leaves turn brown and dry while the rest of the leaf stays green — one of the most common Spider Plant complaints.

Potential Causes

  1. 1Fluoride or chlorine in tap water, since Spider Plant is notably sensitive to these common water additives
  2. 2Salt buildup in the potting mix from repeated feeding without flushing
  3. 3Low humidity causing tips to dry out faster than the rest of the leaf
  4. 4Underwatering or inconsistent watering

Solution Steps

  1. 1Switch to filtered, distilled, or rain water instead of tap water
  2. 2Flush the soil periodically with plain water to clear accumulated salts and minerals
  3. 3Increase humidity slightly around the plant if indoor air is very dry
  4. 4Trim brown tips with clean scissors for appearance, since they won't green up again

Prevention Tip

Spider Plant's sensitivity to fluoride and chlorinated tap water is the single most common cause of brown tips — switching water sources alone often resolves it.

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