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Brown-Tips on maidenhair fern

maidenhair fern with brown-tips

What's Happening

Fluoride and chlorine in tap water accumulate in frond tips, causing chemical burn and necrosis; low humidity exacerbates tip damage

How to Fix It

  1. 1

    Switch to distilled or filtered water immediately

  2. 2

    Flush soil with distilled water to remove mineral buildup

  3. 3

    Trim brown tips with sterilized scissors

  4. 4

    Add pebble tray for supplemental humidity

What You'll Need

How to Prevent It

Water with distilled, filtered, or rainwater only; never use untreated tap water; maintain humidity above 60%

Related Problems

Same Problem on Other Plants

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes brown-tips on my plant?
Fluoride and chlorine in tap water accumulate in frond tips, causing chemical burn and necrosis; low humidity exacerbates tip damage
How do I fix brown-tips?
Switch to distilled or filtered water immediately. Flush soil with distilled water to remove mineral buildup.
How do I prevent brown-tips from happening again?
Water with distilled, filtered, or rainwater only; never use untreated tap water; maintain humidity above 60%