Why Does My Alocasia Have Brown Tips?

Brown tips on Alocasia leaves are usually caused by environmental stress — low humidity, watering inconsistencies, or fertiliser build-up. While a few brown edges are common, widespread tip burn means your plant’s growing conditions need attention. Correcting humidity, watering rhythm, and nutrition with CompleteGrow All Purpose Liquid NPK 20-20-20 restores healthy green foliage.

Natural Ageing vs Stress Damage

Normal ageing: Older leaves sometimes develop brown tips before yellowing and collapsing. This is part of the plant’s natural life cycle and isn’t harmful.

Stress-related damage: If multiple new or middle leaves show brown tips, the cause is likely water quality, salt accumulation, or dry air. These need correction to prevent permanent tissue loss.

At a Glance: Causes of Brown Tips

Low humidity: Dry air crisps leaf tips first
Inconsistent watering: Stress from cycles of drought & saturation
Fertiliser salts: Excess build-up burns roots → brown edges
Water quality: Hard tap water leaves mineral residues
Normal ageing: Older leaves sacrifice energy to new growth

Quick Fix: Raise humidity to 60–70%, water consistently, flush pots monthly, and feed with CompleteGrow 20-20-20 at safe dilution (2–3 ml/L).

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Humidity & Environmental Stress

Alocasia are tropical and adapted to high humidity. Indoors, dry air (<40%) dehydrates leaf tips, leaving them brown and crispy. Solution: Maintain 60–70% humidity using pebble trays, grouping, or humidifiers. Consistency is key — sudden drops in humidity are more damaging than steady lower levels.

Temperature & Airflow

Cold drafts and direct heating vents stress foliage, compounding brown tips. Keep plants in stable warmth (18–28°C) and protect from artificial airflow.

Watering & Fertiliser Balance

Inconsistent watering: Dry spells followed by soaking cause uneven cell pressure, leading to tip necrosis.
Salt build-up: Fertiliser residues accumulate in soil, drawing water out of leaf edges and burning them.
Solution: Flush pots every 6–8 weeks and feed with CompleteGrow 20-20-20 for balanced nutrition without overload.

Water Quality Factors

Tap water with high chlorine, fluoride, or lime can leave brown tips. If this is suspected, use filtered or rainwater to reduce mineral stress.

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How to Prevent Brown Tips Long-Term

Humidity: Maintain ≥60% to keep leaf edges hydrated.
Watering: Water when the top 2–3 cm are dry, avoiding extremes.
Nutrition: Feed lightly but regularly with CompleteGrow 20-20-20 in active growth.
Soil care: Use chunky mixes and flush salts every 6–8 weeks.
Air quality: Keep away from AC, heaters, and harsh drafts.

FAQs

Should I cut off brown tips? Yes — trim with clean scissors to tidy the plant, but underlying causes must be fixed to prevent more damage.
Do brown tips spread? They won’t heal, but the damage can spread if stress continues. Correct care stops new tips from browning.
Why are new leaves developing brown tips? Usually low humidity or overfeeding during rapid growth.
Can filtered water solve the problem? Yes — if minerals are the cause, filtered or rainwater prevents further damage.