Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the soil moisture level to see if it is bone dry.
- Look at the weather history for the last two weeks.
- Examine the soil surface for white crusty deposits.
Likely causes
Drought stress
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn brown and crispy, and the edges may curl inward. This is common during hot, dry spells when the tree cannot pull enough water from the soil.
What to do: Water the tree deeply once every 7 to 14 days during dry periods. Apply a 2 inch layer of mulch around the base to keep the roots cool and moist.
Salt buildup
PossibleHow to tell: Brown tips appear even when the soil feels moist. This often happens if you use heavy fertilizers or if the water source has high mineral content.
What to do: Flush the soil around the tree with a large amount of fresh water to wash away excess salts. Avoid over fertilizing and stick to a balanced organic feed.
Find out what's wrong with your judas tree
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
Worry if the browning continues to move inward toward the leaf stem. Minor tip burn after a very hot week is usually just a temporary reaction.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the soil consistently moist during the first few years of growth and avoid excessive chemical fertilizers.
Judas tree: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your judas tree and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Will the brown tips turn green again?
- No, the brown parts are dead tissue and will not recover. You can trim them off with clean shears if you dislike the look.
- Does wind cause brown tips?
- Strong, drying winds can dehydrate the leaves faster than the roots can supply water. Planting in a slightly sheltered spot helps.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Judas tree
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.