Why Are My Zanzibar Gem's Leaves Browning at the Tips?
Why are my Zanzibar Gem’s Leaves Browning at the Tips?
Zanzibar Gems are a lush and beautiful indoor plant variety with foliage to die for. With their generous profusion of wand-like stalks adorned with bountiful, emerald colored foliage, ZZ Gems as they’re often called lend a dazzling pop of color to any interior. So when you notice that your plant is exhibiting browning leaf tips, it’s natural to be frustrated! But you don’t need to fret— browning leaf tips are easily treated, and can almost always easily traced back to one of these hiccups in plant care. Read on, and be relieved!
Environment Too Dry
The most common cause of browning leaf tips on a Zanzibar Gem is a lack of humidity in the plant’s environment. The use of air conditioners or heaters, drafts from doors and windows, and seasonal changes can all cause a change in humidity- but it can be easily assuaged by misting your plant! Mist you plant up the three times weekly, either with plain water or with water mixed with a foliar feed, like Potion Magique.
Overwatering
The browning caused by overwatering has a specific appearance and texture. If the foliage appears soft and mushy, is falling off or is very easily removed, it’s possible that your plant may be overwatered. Zanzibar Gems need to be watered only sparingly- when the top two inches of their soil are entirely dry. If you are concerned that your plant may have been overwatered, remove the plant, still within its plastic nursery pot, from its ceramic planter. Check its soil to see if it is waterlogged or has a musty scent. If the soil is thoroughly wet, allow it to dry out entirely before you replace the plant in its ceramic pot, and begging your watering schedule again, watering only when the topsoil is entirely dry. Remove any significantly brown or unhealthy leaves.
Underwatering
If a large portion of your Zanzibar Gem’s leaves are dry, brown and crispy, it’s possible that your plant has gone too long without water. Insert your finger in the top two inches of its soil— if they are entirely dry, give it 1-2 cups of water. Do not overwater the plant to compensate for its dryness; just commit to a new regular schedule of checking its moisture and watering it when needed. You can trim off the severely dried leaves or allow them to naturally fall. New growth will appear as your plant bounces back from its drought.
Reach Out!
In the unlikely event that your Zanzibar Gem’s condition is not improved by making adjustments to its care routine, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Plant Doctor service via your Léon & George account. Our experts are always here to help!
Zanzibar Gem
Lush and vibrant, with wand-like stems and emerald foliage, the Zanzibar Gem is a stunning, low-maintenance indoor plant that thrives in medium to low, indirect light.