Find out the best way to prune brown leaf tips from houseplants. This video shows you how it is done so that the plant looks much healthier and happier.
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Today, I’m going to show you the best way to prune brown leaf tips off plants. You can see I have a Dracaena here, and we do have some brown leaf tips on this beauty, which doesn’t make the plant look as nice as it could. Dracaenas are very prone, highly prone, to getting brown leaf tips, as are certain other species. Spider plants are another type that can develop brown leaf tips, but it really shows up on the Dracaenas. As you can see, it just becomes unsightly looking.
It’s very handy that you can cut off the brown leaf tips and make the plant look a lot better. I’m going to show you that right here on this one. I’ve got the leaf here, and what you want to do is cut as close to the brown as possible. Take off the brown. You can’t always go to the curve of the brown, but the closer you can get, the better. This way, it will last longer before it starts to brown up again, and you have to prune a bit more.
Now, the plant looks much better without the brown tip; however, it now looks a little blocky and doesn’t quite look natural. So, what I like to do is make it more of a tapered look, like the other leaves, so that it appears more natural. Of course, if someone looks closely, they might notice it’s been cut. But most people are just glancing at plants, and when you look at the overall look of the plant, it looks pretty good with a nice rounded shape.
I’m going to do the same on another leaf over here. Again, make a curve and try to make it as natural as possible. You might find that sometimes in nurseries or wholesale growers, they’ll snip the tip off straight across, but this doesn’t look very natural. If one of your plants has been cut like that, you can curve it to give it a better look.
After you prune, you may find that the tips eventually get a slight crispy edge again. This is natural, but it won’t get overly crispy or brown unless there are other cultural problems with your plant. I have a video that covers the causes of brown leaf tips and how to try to prevent them, so take a look at that to help avoid this issue in the first place.
Right now, I’m just showing you how to remove brown tips in a way that looks natural and enhances the plant’s appearance. As you can see, the plant looks much better without the brown tips. This Dracaena had a few brown tips, though not too many, and it looks much improved after pruning.
This plant has actually been in a revival series due to a pH problem, which caused brown tips. I missed one other spot here, so let me prune that off as well. There are various reasons for brown leaf tips, which I discuss in my brown leaf tip video, but for now, the goal is to trim them off and get the plant looking as natural as possible.
Now, you can get a good look at this plant and see how much better it looks with fewer brown tips. When you glance at it, it looks very natural. Make the cut as smooth as possible and follow the shape of the leaf. Different houseplants and even individual leaves have various shapes, so adjust accordingly.
It’s also beneficial to remove brown tips, as they can spread, leading to the browning of the entire leaf, which could result in losing the leaf. By pruning early, you prevent further browning, and you’re only cutting off a little bit of the leaf instead of a significant portion.
It’s a good idea to find the root cause of the browning tips to avoid repetitive pruning. Thank you for stopping by today! Please leave any comments about any indoor gardening tutorials you’d like to see. Remember to like, comment, subscribe, and share this video, and check the bell if you’d like to be notified when new videos are released.
Pruning Brown Leaf Tips FAQ
What is the best way to prune brown leaf tips?
To prune brown leaf tips, cut as close to the brown area as possible, following the natural shape of the leaf. This approach minimizes visible cuts and makes the plant look more natural.
Why do Dracaenas and Spider Plants develop brown leaf tips?
Dracaenas and Spider Plants are particularly prone to brown leaf tips due to environmental or cultural factors. Dracaenas especially show brown tips more prominently, making pruning helpful for maintaining their appearance.
How can I make pruned leaves look more natural?
After pruning, taper the cut edges to blend with the leaf’s natural shape. Curving the cut can help make it less noticeable, giving the plant a more rounded, natural look.
Why does the cut edge sometimes turn crispy after pruning?
Some crispiness on the cut edges is normal over time, but significant browning may indicate underlying issues like pH imbalance or other environmental factors.
Can brown leaf tips spread if not pruned?
Yes, brown tips can spread along the leaf if not removed. Pruning brown tips early can prevent further browning and reduce the need to cut off larger portions of the leaf.
How can I prevent brown leaf tips from forming?
To reduce brown leaf tips, identify and address underlying causes like watering issues, humidity, and pH imbalances. Understanding these factors can help keep plants healthier and reduce the need for frequent pruning.
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