From my perspective, my roots are my mouth. When the soil becomes too dry for too long, I simply cannot draw up enough water to supply my long, slender leaves. The moisture travels from my roots up through my vascular system, but it often fails to reach the very tips of my leaves. These extremities dry out and die, turning brown and crispy. Conversely, if my human caretaker is too generous and my pot sits in constantly soggy soil, my roots begin to suffocate and rot. A damaged root system cannot absorb water effectively, which paradoxically also leads to dehydration and—you guessed it—brown leaf tips. I crave consistency; a drink only when my top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
What you pour into my soil is just as important as how often. I am particularly sensitive to the chemicals found in tap water, specifically fluoride and chlorine. These compounds accumulate in my leaf tips, causing a form of toxicity that results in browning. If possible, I much prefer rainwater, distilled water, or even tap water that has been left out for 24 hours to allow some chemicals to dissipate. Furthermore, an overabundance of mineral salts from too much fertilizer has a similar effect, burning my roots and creating a hostile environment that disrupts my water uptake. A light feeding during my growing season is more than enough for me.
My ancestral origins are in the coastal areas of South Africa, where the air is moist and pleasant. The typical modern home, however, especially those with forced-air heating or air conditioning, can have extremely dry air. This arid environment pulls moisture from my leaves faster than my roots can replace it. The result is, once again, desiccation starting at the tips. While I am adaptable, I truly appreciate a occasional misting, being grouped with other plants to create a humid microclimate, or being placed in a naturally steamy room like a bathroom.
As a healthy plant, I grow quite quickly, and my roots can soon fill the pot you've provided. When I become pot-bound, my root system is so dense that it struggles to retain water effectively; it often runs straight through the drainage holes without being absorbed. This leaves the core of my root ball dry and unable to hydrate the rest of me, manifesting as brown tips. Furthermore, a tight mass of roots leaves little room for soil, which means it holds fewer nutrients. If my roots are circling the inside of the pot visibly, it is time for me to be gently moved to a new home that is just one size larger.
