Low humidity
Brown, crispy edges and tips in dry indoor air are this plant's number-one complaint.
Diagnosis
Low humidity
What's happening
Polka dot plants are tropical understory plants that crave humid air, and their thin leaves are quick to show when it's too dry. Near a heating vent, radiator, or air conditioner the leaf margins lose water faster than the roots can replace it, so the edges and tips brown and crisp — often the first sign that the air is too dry for them.
How to fix it
Raise the humidity around the plant: group it with other plants, set the pot on a tray of pebbles and water, or run a small humidifier nearby — and move it away from vents, radiators, and drafts. A bright bathroom or kitchen, where the air is naturally more humid, is an ideal spot. Trim the worst of the crispy edges with clean scissors following the leaf's natural shape so it looks tidy while fresh, healthy growth fills in.
What fixes it
- A small room humidifier — A small humidifier near the plant keeps the thin leaves from crisping, especially in dry winter air.
If that doesn't fix it
This is general guidance based on common symptoms; individual plants vary.
Read the full Polka Dot Plant care guide →
Reviewed June 2026 · how we check this