Desert Landscaping in Nevada?

Could be either, but most likely underwatering around here. Good luck digging per other answer's advice, he obviously has no clue about immature, caliche ridden desert soils.

I would guess it is more an issue of the extreme high temps we've been having this past week, and in the summer in here in general. A large leafy plant is probably not indigenous, and probably needs to be kept under 100F. Move it into a shady area for the next month, it might survive. And go to the Star Nursery or Cactus Joes and get some plants that are hardy enough to survive the desert climate. When buying plants, look for workers that look about 2 days from getting skin cancer, or else Mexicans (excuse my stereotyping) -- these are the folks that will be able to give you useful advice for this region. Advice from South Carolina isn't going to cut it.

Hey Shep,

brown on the edges could be a sign of either, over or under watering. Take into account how much do you water? Are you consistent? Do you water at the roots? or over the plant? Feel the soil - is it wet, is it wet all the time? Does your water drain well (I suspect that it does drain well, but you could be in a special soil condition), Did you plant the plant? Was it planted by a previous land owner? How old is the plant, and what type of plant it is has something to do with the answer possibly.

Buy you are right - 80% of the plant problems come from over or under watering. I cannot put my finger in your soil. So, take a screw driver, or long rod - drive it into the groud at the drip line of the plant - feel the soil, put some from 12" down into your hands. Roll it in your palm, does it bunch up, does it have moisture - or is it completely dry. The answer is most likely the answer to your question.