Treatment Plans
Increase humidity around your plants
For tropical plants sensitive to dry air
Many tropical houseplants need humidity of 50 to 60%. When indoor heating is used in winter, it can dry the air well below that level, scorching leaf tips and edges. Increasing humidity around the plant addresses the cause without any risk of overwatering.
What to do now
- Move the plant away from sources of dry heat: radiators, heating vents, and fireplaces.
- Group your plants together or place the pot on a tray of clay pebbles kept damp, without letting the pot sit in water.
- For the most demanding species, use a humidifier to aim for 50 to 60% relative humidity.
- Trim off tips that have already dried out: they will not turn green again, but the plant will produce healthy new foliage.
Prevention
- Check the hygrometer in winter.
- Avoid excessive misting, which encourages leaf spots and disease.
Common problems
- Dry air (low humidity) · Ambient humidity too low for tropical plants.
FAQ
Is misting enough to increase humidity?
Not really. Misting raises humidity for only a few minutes and, when repeated, encourages leaf spots and fungal diseases. A tray of damp clay pebbles or a humidifier is much more effective and longer-lasting.
Will my brown leaf tips turn green again?
No. Dried-out leaf tissue is dead and will not recover. You can trim the tip neatly for appearance; what matters is that new leaves grow healthy once humidity has been corrected.