The Aglaonema, commonly known as the Chinese Evergreen, is a popular houseplant prized for its vibrant, patterned foliage. Despite its hardiness, brown tips on its leaves are a frequent sight for many indoor gardeners. This discoloration is not a disease but a clear signal of environmental stress, indicating the plant is struggling to manage moisture. Understanding the precise cause allows for a quick remedy and prevents further cosmetic damage.
Identifying the Root Causes
Brown tips on an Aglaonema result from three distinct environmental factors that disrupt the plant’s ability to retain or absorb water. The first common issue is the accumulation of mineral salts in the soil, leading to a condition known as tip burn. This occurs when hard tap water, which contains dissolved solids like calcium, magnesium, and chlorine, is used over time, causing these elements to build up in the soil medium. High concentrations of these salts effectively pull water away from the roots through osmosis, dehydrating the leaf tissue and causing the edges and tips to desiccate and turn brown.
A second cause is simple underwatering, or desiccation, which results in crispy, dry brown tips. When the plant lacks sufficient water, it conserves moisture by sacrificing the oldest and farthest leaf tissue first. Another element is low ambient humidity, as the plant’s native environment is the humid, shaded understory of Southeast Asian forests. When the surrounding air is too dry, the plant loses moisture faster than the roots can absorb it, manifesting as browning and crisping along the delicate leaf edges.
Immediate Corrective Actions
Once the cause is identified, immediate action must be taken to stop the damage and address the existing brown leaf tissue. The first step involves physical removal of the damaged areas, as the brown tissue will not revert to green. Using clean, sharp scissors, carefully trim the brown portion of the leaf, following the natural curve of the blade. This cosmetic step helps the plant direct energy toward new, healthy growth.
If the diagnosis points to mineral salt buildup, “flushing” the soil is necessary to remove the excess accumulation of salts. To perform this, slowly pour a volume of filtered or distilled water equal to about three times the pot’s size through the soil. This washes the salts out of the drainage holes, effectively resetting the soil’s chemical balance. Allow the pot to drain completely afterward, ensuring the plant is not left sitting in the flushed water, which would allow salts to be reabsorbed.
Establishing a Long-Term Prevention Routine
Preventing the return of brown tips requires adjusting routine care to align with the Aglaonema’s specific needs as a tropical foliage plant. The most effective long-term change is watering based on the soil’s actual moisture level, rather than a fixed calendar schedule. The plant prefers the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Wait until the top 50% or top two inches of the soil feel dry to the touch before thoroughly soaking the plant again. This practice prevents both the desiccation of underwatering and the potential for root rot.
Managing Humidity
Addressing low humidity in a typical household environment is crucial for long-term health. Since the Aglaonema thrives in humidity levels around 70%, which is significantly higher than most homes, simple misting is often insufficient for lasting results. A more effective strategy is to place the pot on a shallow tray filled with pebbles and water, ensuring the pot bottom sits above the water line. As the water evaporates, it creates a small, humid microclimate around the foliage.
Preventing Salt Buildup
To permanently prevent mineral salt buildup, commit to using filtered, distilled, or reverse osmosis water for all future watering cycles. This type of water is free of the dissolved solids found in most municipal tap water that cause the tip burn. By eliminating the source of the mineral deposits, you remove the primary chemical stressor that leads to the browning of the leaves, ensuring the Chinese Evergreen retains its vibrant color and smooth edges over its lifetime.