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Brown leaf tips on pink quill: causes and fixes

Brown, crispy tips on your pink quill have a few possible causes, and on this plant the likeliest is dry air. The full list is below.

Most likely cause

Dry air (low humidity). Raise humidity: group plants together, sit the pot on a tray of damp pebbles, or run a humidifier. Misting helps only briefly.

Other possible causes

Not a match? Compare the signs below to find the one you have.

Inconsistent or under-watering

How to tell

The soil dries out hard between waterings, so the tips (the last to get water) crisp first.

The fix

Water more evenly: check the soil regularly and don’t let it go completely bone dry, then soak thoroughly.

Tap-water minerals and salts

How to tell

Tips brown slowly over months despite even watering, and a white crust builds up on the soil surface or the pot rim. Hard tap water leaves this behind.

The fix

Switch to filtered, distilled, or rainwater, and flush the pot occasionally to wash out built-up salts.

Fertilizer burn

How to tell

Tips brown within a week or two of feeding, sometimes with a white crust on the soil surface or the pot rim. It follows feeding too often or too strong.

The fix

Flush thoroughly with plain water and feed less often, always diluted.

Too much direct sun

How to tell

Dry brown patches or scorched edges show up where strong sun hits the leaf. Pink quill wants bright light and some direct sun.

The fix

Move it back from the glass, or filter the strongest sun with a sheer curtain.

Prevention

Keep humidity up for thirsty tropicals, water before the soil goes bone dry, use filtered or rainwater if your plant is sensitive, and feed lightly.

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