{"id":9199,"date":"2021-08-08T11:50:30","date_gmt":"2021-08-08T11:50:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/plantsandhouse.com\/?p=9199"},"modified":"2022-09-02T22:25:40","modified_gmt":"2022-09-02T22:25:40","slug":"madagascar-dragon-tree-tips-leaves-brown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/plantsandhouse.com\/madagascar-dragon-tree-tips-leaves-brown\/","title":{"rendered":"What Causes The Tips Of The Leaves On My Madagascar Dragon Tree To Turn Brown?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Madagascar Dragon Trees make great houseplants, partly because they flourish indoors, and because they <a href=\"https:\/\/plantsandhouse.com\/how-to-care-for-a-madagascar-dragon-tree\/\">require little upkeep<\/a>. But, as any gardener knows, even the easiest plants are picky about certain things. In this article, we\u2019ll explore what can cause your dragon tree\u2019s leaves to brown at the tips, and how to fix it. So what causes leaves on my Madagascar dragon tree to turn brown?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"toc_container\" class=\"no_bullets\"><p class=\"toc_title\">What You'll Learn Today<\/p><ul class=\"toc_list\"><li><a href=\"#Why_Are_My_Dragon_Tree_Leaf_Tips_Turning_Brown\">Why Are My Dragon Tree Leaf Tips Turning Brown?<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#Low_Humidity\">Low Humidity<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Underwatering\">Underwatering<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Too_Much_Light\">Too Much Light<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Old_Leaves\">Old Leaves<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#Should_I_Cut_the_Brown_Tips_Off_of_My_Dragon_Tree\">Should I Cut the Brown Tips Off of My Dragon Tree?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#What_Causes_Yellow_Dragon_Tree_Tips\">What Causes Yellow Dragon Tree Tips?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Why_Are_My_Dragon_Tree_Leaf_Tips_Turning_Brown\">Why Are My Dragon Tree Leaf Tips Turning Brown?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1280\" height=\"853\" src=\"https:\/\/plantsandhouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Depositphotos_411515394_l-2015-1.jpg\" alt=\"Why is my dragon tree leaves tips turning brown\" class=\"wp-image-9186\" srcset=\"https:\/\/plantsandhouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Depositphotos_411515394_l-2015-1.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/plantsandhouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Depositphotos_411515394_l-2015-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/plantsandhouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Depositphotos_411515394_l-2015-1-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/plantsandhouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Depositphotos_411515394_l-2015-1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes it can be difficult to figure out what\u2019s wrong with unhappy plants since many symptoms of different issues overlap. The best way to diagnose the problem is to consider all of the possible causes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some common causes of brown leaf tips on dragon trees:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Low_Humidity\">Low Humidity<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Dragon trees, or <em>Dracaena marginata<\/em>, are native to the tropical climates of Madagascar. Many tropical houseplants require a certain degree of moisture and humidity to thrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the tips of the leaves are brown and feel dry to the touch, your plant might need some extra humidity. Fortunately, there are several ways to increase the humidity of the space around your dragon tree.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Placing a humidifier nearby will give the area a great boost of moisture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another solution is to put a pebble tray underneath the plant. To do this, just fill a plastic tray with pebbles or small stones, and fill the tray halfway with water. Then, put your plant on top of the tray.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Make sure the water level in the tray does not reach the bottom of the plant. Dragon trees do not like sitting in water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have several moisture-loving plants, try placing them close to each other. The plants will release moisture through their leaves and create a humid microclimate.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Underwatering\">Underwatering<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Dragon trees are fairly drought-tolerant. However, this doesn\u2019t mean they enjoy being in completely dry soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When these plants aren\u2019t receiving enough water, they\u2019ll usually let you know with browning leaf tips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check the soil by sticking your finger in it. If the top two inches of soil are totally dry, it\u2019s time to water. Depending on the environment it\u2019s in, you will likely need to water your plant once every 2-3 weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you water your dragon tree, water deeply until the water flows out of the drainage holes in the pot.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Too_Much_Light\">Too Much Light<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Browning leaf tips can also be a sign that your dragon tree is getting too much sunlight. These plants should never be left in direct sunlight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Madagascar dragon trees enjoy rooms with bright, indirect light. If you have space near a north-facing window, your tree should do well there.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you only have a southern window for your dragon tree, adding a sheer curtain can provide a good filter so that the leaves won\u2019t get scorched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Old_Leaves\">Old Leaves<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Many new dragon tree owners are alarmed when they see the tips of leaves turning brown, and then eventually falling off of the plant. But this is completely normal and natural for dragon trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll notice old leaves dying and falling off of the tree occasionally. It\u2019s only a cause for concern if the leaf loss is excessive.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Should_I_Cut_the_Brown_Tips_Off_of_My_Dragon_Tree\">Should I Cut the Brown Tips Off of My Dragon Tree?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1280\" height=\"853\" src=\"https:\/\/plantsandhouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Depositphotos_145369611_l-2015-1.jpg\" alt=\"Should I cut the brown tips off my dragon tree\" class=\"wp-image-9190\" srcset=\"https:\/\/plantsandhouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Depositphotos_145369611_l-2015-1.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/plantsandhouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Depositphotos_145369611_l-2015-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/plantsandhouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Depositphotos_145369611_l-2015-1-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/plantsandhouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Depositphotos_145369611_l-2015-1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>When the tips of your plant start to turn brown, that section of the leaf will <a href=\"https:\/\/plantsandhouse.com\/should-i-cut-the-brown-tips-off-my-plants\/\">never be green again<\/a>. Since that area is dead, it no longer serves a purpose for the plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you don\u2019t like how it looks, cut the tips of the leaves with scissors or garden shears, following the natural shape of the leaves. Try not to cut into the green tissue, and instead only cut the brown tip.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You might have to leave a tiny bit of brown at the tip to avoid damaging healthy tissue. Otherwise, the green end of the leaf will also turn brown.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you don\u2019t mind how the brown tips look, you can wait until the leaves are naturally replaced by new growth.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For a visual demonstration of how to revive your dragon tree, check out this video:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to Revive a Sick Dracaena\" width=\"1200\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2UHP7dY3Y4U?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"What_Causes_Yellow_Dragon_Tree_Tips\">What Causes Yellow Dragon Tree Tips?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Dragon tree leaves also indicate their displeasure with pale, yellowing leaves. If your plant is developing yellow leaves, check for these common issues:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Overwatering:<\/strong> Dragon trees that are getting too much water often let you know with yellowing leaves. These plants do not like to be soggy. Wait until the top couple of inches of soil are dry to water again.<\/li><li><strong>Too Much Fertilizer: <\/strong>Dragon trees don\u2019t depend on fertilizer to thrive. Feeding too often can lead to fertilizer burn. Applying fertilizer <a href=\"https:\/\/hgic.clemson.edu\/factsheet\/dracaena\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">once per month<\/a> during the growing season will be plenty for your plant.&nbsp;<\/li><li><strong>Drafts:<\/strong> Dragon trees don\u2019t appreciate sudden temperature changes, which can happen when there\u2019s a cold draft. This could be from a window or air conditioner. Make sure the air around your tree stays at a consistent temperature, and never goes below 60 degrees.<\/li><li><strong>Fluoride:<\/strong> Most Dracaena plants are <a href=\"https:\/\/plants.ces.ncsu.edu\/plants\/dracaena-marginata\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sensitive to fluoride<\/a>, which is often present in tap water. Try using distilled water, non-fluorinated water, or rainwater when you water your dragon tree.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If your Madagascar dragon tree is unhappy right now, the good news is that it will likely be short-lived. These plants are fairly forgiving and bounce back quickly once you remedy the issue. Give each solution you try at least a week to work before you try something different.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Madagascar Dragon Trees make great houseplants, partly because they flourish indoors, and because they require little upkeep. But, as any gardener knows, even the easiest plants are picky about certain things. In this article, we\u2019ll explore what can cause your dragon tree\u2019s leaves to brown at the tips, and how to fix it. So what &#8230; <a title=\"What Causes The Tips Of The Leaves On My Madagascar Dragon Tree To Turn Brown?\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/plantsandhouse.com\/madagascar-dragon-tree-tips-leaves-brown\/\" aria-label=\"More on What Causes The Tips Of The Leaves On My Madagascar Dragon Tree To Turn Brown?\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":9190,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[91,102,103,1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/plantsandhouse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9199"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/plantsandhouse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/plantsandhouse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plantsandhouse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plantsandhouse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9199"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/plantsandhouse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9199\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10072,"href":"https:\/\/plantsandhouse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9199\/revisions\/10072"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plantsandhouse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9190"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/plantsandhouse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9199"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plantsandhouse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9199"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plantsandhouse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9199"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}