Low humidity
Crispy brown tips in dry indoor air are a classic humidity complaint.
Diagnosis
Low humidity
What's happening
Spider plants prefer moderate humidity. In very dry air — especially next to a heating vent, radiator, or air conditioner — the thin, arching leaf tips lose moisture faster than the roots can replace it, so the ends brown and turn crisp.
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 and drafts. Trim the crispy tips with clean scissors, cutting at an angle to keep the natural pointed shape, while new growth fills in.
What fixes it
- A small room humidifier — A small humidifier near the plant keeps the tips 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 Spider Plant care guide →
Reviewed June 2026 · how we check this