The Main Culprit: Low Humidity
For most tropical houseplants (which make up the majority of indoor plants), brown tips are a direct result of air that is too dry. In their native environments, humidity is high. In our homes, especially in winter when the heat is on, the air is much drier. The plant loses moisture from its leaves faster than it can draw it up from the roots, and the farthest part of the leaf—the tip—dries out first.
The Fix: Increase the humidity around your plant. You can do this by misting the leaves every few days, placing the plant on a pebble tray with water, using a humidifier, or grouping it together with other plants.
Watering Issues
Both inconsistent watering and the type of water you use can cause brown tips.
Inconsistent Watering: Letting the soil get bone dry for too long can cause the tips to crisp up. Try to maintain a more consistent watering schedule based on the soil's moisture level.
Tap Water Minerals: Some plants, like Calatheas and Dracaenas, are very sensitive to the salts, chlorine, and fluoride found in tap water. These minerals can build up in the soil and cause the leaf tips to "burn." If you suspect this is the issue, try using distilled, filtered, or rainwater instead.
Can I Cut Off the Brown Tips?
Yes! The brown part of the leaf will not turn green again, so it's perfectly fine to trim it off for aesthetic reasons. Use a clean, sharp pair of scissors and cut just the brown part off, leaving a tiny sliver of brown to avoid damaging the healthy green tissue. You can even try to mimic the shape of the leaf tip for a more natural look.