We bought a Ti Plant several months ago. It was fine for a while but began to lose its leaves after about 2-3 weeks. The leaves discolor starting at the tip of the leaf, becoming brittle before falling off. Our apartment is very dry and we think our water has a high chlorine/salt content. Our local garden shop stated it might be a salt damage issue made worse by the dry environment and suggested we put it outside the next time it rains to flush it out. We've done that a few times now but the leaves are still slowly dying off from the bottom of the plant going up. It seems like the salt accumulation is increasing since the pot keeps getting more white stains on the outside. The top of the plant seems like it is doing okay. Any thoughts? This plant was a gift and has a lot of sentimental value. Hoping to save it!

Beautiful colours on your Ti! I am fairly new to growing Ti plants but I understand that they are quite sensitive to water containing chlorine and fluoride. You could use distilled water (if available to you during these crazy times), collect some rainwater to use indoors, or even let your tap water sit out in a container for 24 hours to help dissipate the chemicals. Not sure of your weather but maybe placing your plant outdoors might have been a little shock to it, causing some leaf loss. They like their soil kept moist and being a tropical plant they enjoy some humidity; perhaps you could set the pot on a tray with some wet pebbles to boost that a bit. Dry leaf tips are usually from uneven watering/dry soil. Ti will naturally loose their lower leaves. They like bright light with even some direct sun once acclimated, and average warm temps. Good luck with your plant!

Thanks, Debbie! We have actually been collecting rainwater since distilled water is nowhere to be found these days. We had read about letting the tap water sit out but have not tried that yet. Good idea! We have also been putting a little water in the drip tray so it would perhaps evaporate and create more humidity in our very dry apartment.

To add to Debbie's excellent advice, be careful of a draft coming from your sliders, my Ti doesn't like cold drafts...

Thanks, Christine! The problem for us is that the slider is the only place in the apartment that gets enough light. Maybe we can move it away from the door a bit more.

The concentration of fluoride and chlorine in normal municipal water supplies is not sufficient to cause damage to your plants. However, hard water can do damage. Letting hard water sit out in the open simply concentrates the mineral salts as the water evaporates. If your tap water is hard, use filtered, distilled or rainwater. It may also help to flush lots of clear water through the soil to wash any soil salts that may have built up.

Letting the soil get too dry also causes the mineral salts to concentrate and burn the roots, so be very careful not to let the soil get too dry. It is also important to always water thoroughly so that a bit trickles through the drain hole each time. Partial watering will also concentrate mineral salts where the water penetration stops.

The leaf in the second photo looks like it might be spider mite damage. Probably not, but check and remove that leaf in any case. Other brown tips can be trimmed off.

As long as the newer leaves remain healthy, then your Ti Plant should be fine.

Thanks, Will! We think we have soft water, which is higher in salt. That's why we've been trying to use rainwater as much as possible. We have looked around for distilled water but have not been able to find any since stores are stocked out. A brita will not remove salt from the water. From some online research there's no easy solution to remove salt.

Is your water naturally soft or artificially softened?

Many bottled waters are largely salt-free. But not mineral spring water.

Will—according to maintenance there is no water softener used. I finally got my hands on distilled water today, so we'll try that in addition to rainwater. I think it could be temperature fluctuations too. Our heat is centrally controlled and often we have to keep a window open and/or the sliding door. Since the plant is nearby it may be affected. It's never been below 50 degrees but can get up to 75 in the apartment without the outside air. What does temperature do considering those fluctuations? Maybe that's fine.

If your water is not hard and not softened chemically, then I don't think your water quality from the tap is a problem.

Normal fluctuations in temperature over a range between 50 and 80 degrees F. should not be a problem. But sudden infusions of cold (or very warm) air can be deleterious. Try to avoid letting cold air blow directly on the plant.

Thanks, Will! It's possible the water is hard not soft. Usually, soft water has that slimy feeling and ours is not. Our silverware and dishes often have water spots after drying. Not sure but I think that's a symptom of hard water. The outside of the plant pot has formed a significant amount of white deposits. Hoping a change in water will change the situation.