Why Are My Leaf Tips Turning Brown in DWC or RDWC?
Brown tips can come from high EC, root problems, or environmental stress, so the damage pattern and verified measurements matter more than the symptom alone.
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Why
Brown leaf tips are a symptom, not a diagnosis.
If the plant is wilting, first confirm established roots can reach the solution and air is reaching the stones. Then note whether damage is on older leaves or new growth, several plants sharing a reservoir, or one exposed side.
Record water level, EC, pH, and water temperature. Verify meter calibration, mix, and let readings stabilize. If EC is confirmed high, dilute with suitable low-EC water or replace the solution with a correctly mixed batch, then recheck pH. If EC and pH are in range, verify the recipe before adding anything.
Inspect roots for softness or deterioration, but do not diagnose root rot from color alone. Warmer water holds less oxygen, and bubbles confirm airflow rather than dissolved oxygen. Also check heat, humidity, light exposure, pests, and recent sprays.
Fix only confirmed problems. Photograph the damage and track new growth because dead tips will not turn green again. A brown tip is not a shopping list.
What to remember
- Brown tips alone do not identify nutrient burn, root damage, or environmental stress.
- Verify water level, air delivery, EC, pH, temperature, and the nutrient recipe before changing the reservoir.
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