Symptoms on popular plants

Brown tips on an areca palm

Areca tips brown with uneven watering, salt build-up, very dry air or root injury.

Uneven moisture

Repeated severe drying damages the fine ends of the leaflets.

Salt buildup

Excess fertilizer or minerals can leave deposits on the mix and brown tips across several fronds.

Dry air

A heater or hot airflow increases water loss from the thin leaflets.

More useful detail

How to narrow down the cause

What supports this cause

Similar crisp tips across several older fronds suggest a continuing condition more than one scuff.

What can look similar

Spider mites produce fine pale stippling and webbing rather than only an even dry tip.

Problem

What to do step by step

1
Compare several fronds and inspect their undersides for spider mites.
2
Review the drying rate, feeding history and visible deposits on the mix.
3
Even out watering, move the palm away from hot airflow and trim only dead tissue.

Observation

What to watch next

New fronds keep clean tips.
The mix no longer stays extremely dry or wet for long periods.
No webbing appears beneath the leaflets.

Important

Frequent small top-ups can maintain uneven moisture rather than solve it.

Sources and further reading: University of Maryland Extension: diagnosing indoor plant problems Royal Horticultural Society — Houseplants

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Prepared by Florli. Reviewed October 15, 2026. This is general guidance. Sources are listed with each guide, and every decision should reflect the species, location, weather and the plant’s current condition. How Florli creates its guides.