Why your succulent has brown tips or spots
Good news — brown tips on a succulent are cosmetic more than catastrophic. They usually mean too much direct sun after being indoors, or underwatering to the point of shriveling. The plant's fine; it's telling you something in its environment is off.
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Why are the tips of my succulent turning brown?
Brown, crispy tips almost always come from too much direct sun after being indoors, or underwatering to the point of shriveling. The leaf edges are the first to show stress because they're the farthest from the roots.
Should I cut the brown tips off?
You can trim the brown parts off to tidy it up — follow the natural shape of the leaf so it doesn't look hacked. But fixing the cause matters more than the trim, or new tips will just brown again.
How do I stop my succulent getting brown tips?
Address too much direct sun after being indoors, or underwatering to the point of shriveling. Consistent watering, the right humidity, and flushing the soil occasionally to wash out built-up salts will keep the tips green.
Not sure? Ask Thumbs about your Succulents brown tips & spots →
Thumbs talks you through it, one question at a time. Free during early access.