Sansevieria cylindrica, also known as the African Spear Plant, is a popular houseplant due to its unique appearance and simple care requirements. Its distinctive cylindrical leaves add a sculptural element to any indoor space. However, even this resilient plant can show signs of distress, with brown tips on its leaves being a common concern. These brown tips indicate underlying environmental or care issues that require attention.
Identifying Brown Tips
Brown tips on Sansevieria cylindrica leaves appear as discolored, dry areas at the ends of the cylindrical foliage. This browning can range from small, crispy spots to more extensive discoloration that moves further down the leaf. Once a portion of a Sansevieria cylindrica leaf turns brown, that specific tissue will not regain its green color. Recognizing these changes is the first step in diagnosing and addressing plant health issues.
Common Causes of Brown Tips
Underwatering
Sansevieria cylindrica, a succulent, stores water in its thick, cylindrical leaves, allowing it to tolerate periods of drought. However, prolonged underwatering can lead to dehydration, causing the plant to draw moisture from its leaf tips. This results in crispy, brown tips. Underwatering often manifests as wrinkled or shriveled leaves in addition to the browning tips.
Overwatering
Overwatering is a frequent cause of brown tips and is often considered the most common mistake for this plant. Excessive moisture in the soil can lead to root rot, a condition where the plant’s roots are deprived of oxygen and begin to decay. Damaged roots cannot efficiently absorb water and nutrients, starving the leaf tips and causing them to turn soft, mushy, and brown.
Low Humidity
While Sansevieria cylindrica tolerates dry conditions, extremely low humidity levels can still impact its leaf tips. In very dry air, such as heated or air-conditioned indoor spaces, the tips of the leaves can dry out faster. This environmental stress can lead to dry, brown tips.
Excess Fertilizer
Fertilizing Sansevieria cylindrica too frequently or with too strong a solution can lead to a buildup of mineral salts in the soil. This accumulation can “burn” the plant’s roots, hindering their ability to absorb water and nutrients. As a result, the leaf tips may show signs of stress and turn brown.
Lighting Issues
Sansevieria cylindrica thrives in bright, indirect light but can adapt to lower light conditions. However, exposing the plant to too much direct, intense sunlight can cause leaf scorching and brown spots or tips. Conversely, extremely insufficient light can stress the plant, potentially leading to slower growth and overall decline, which may also manifest as brown tips.
Temperature Extremes
Sansevieria cylindrica prefers stable indoor temperatures, ideally between 60°F and 85°F (15°C to 29°C). Exposure to sudden drops in temperature, cold drafts, or temperatures below 50°F (10°C) can damage the plant’s leaf tissue. This cold stress can result in the browning of the leaf tips.
Physical Damage
Accidental physical damage can also cause brown tips on Sansevieria cylindrica leaves. Bending, crushing, or rubbing the leaves against hard surfaces can injure the delicate tip tissue. Once this tissue is damaged, it cannot recover and will dry out and turn brown.
Addressing Brown Tips
Correcting Care Issues
Adjusting the care routine is important once the cause of brown tips is identified. For underwatering, increase watering frequency, ensuring the soil dries out completely between waterings, typically every 2-3 weeks in warmer months and less often in cooler periods. If overwatering is the issue, allow the soil to dry thoroughly before the next watering and ensure the pot has adequate drainage holes. To address low humidity, consider grouping plants or placing the plant in a naturally more humid room.
If excess fertilizer is suspected, flush the soil with plain water to wash away accumulated salts. Reduce fertilization to once every 6-8 weeks during the growing season with a diluted succulent fertilizer. For lighting problems, move the plant to a location with bright, indirect light, avoiding direct afternoon sun. Protect the plant from temperature extremes by keeping it away from cold drafts or direct heating/cooling vents, maintaining temperatures between 60°F and 85°F.
Pruning Affected Tips
While correcting the underlying care issue is important, the brown tips themselves will not revert to green. To improve the plant’s appearance, you can trim the brown portions of the leaves. Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to make a cut just above the brown area, following the natural shape of the leaf. Ensure tools are sterilized to prevent the introduction of pathogens.
Preventing Future Brown Tips
Preventing brown tips involves consistent and appropriate care. Always allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings to avoid both underwatering and overwatering. Provide bright, indirect light, as optimal light promotes healthier growth.
Maintain stable temperatures between 60°F and 85°F (15°C to 29°C), protecting the plant from sudden changes or cold drafts. Fertilize judiciously with a diluted succulent fertilizer once or twice during the spring and summer growing season. Handle the plant carefully to avoid physical damage to the leaves.