Should I trim the brown tips off?

Yes, you can trim the brown parts with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.

Does tap water hurt my Mexican orange blossom?

If your tap water is very hard or treated with high levels of chlorine, it can cause tip burn over time. Switching to rainwater is a great way to keep the foliage healthy.

Mexican orange blossom: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check the soil for white crusty salt deposits on the surface.
Test the moisture level of the top 3 inches of soil.
Inspect the location to see if it sits near a heater or drafty window.

Likely causes

Salt accumulation
Possible
How to tell: The tips turn crisp and brown while the rest of the leaf stays green. This often happens if you use softened water or heavy fertilizers.
What to do: Flush the soil thoroughly with distilled or rainwater until it runs freely from the drainage holes. Stop fertilizing for 2 months to let the roots recover.
Low humidity
Possible
How to tell: The edges of the leaves feel dry and brittle during hot summer months or near indoor heating vents. The plant prefers moderate moisture levels.
What to do: Move the plant away from direct heat sources like radiators or vents. You can group it with other plants to create a more humid microclimate.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your mexican orange blossom

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.

When to worry

Worry if the browning spreads rapidly toward the center of the leaf. It is normal to see slight tip browning on older foliage as the plant ages.

Stopping it coming back

Use rainwater or filtered water to avoid mineral buildup in the soil. Keep the plant away from direct airflow from heating or cooling units.

Mexican orange blossom: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your mexican orange blossom 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.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Should I trim the brown tips off?: Yes, you can trim the brown parts with clean scissors for aesthetic reasons. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
Does tap water hurt my Mexican orange blossom?: If your tap water is very hard or treated with high levels of chlorine, it can cause tip burn over time. Switching to rainwater is a great way to keep the foliage healthy.

Guides to these causes

Salt Stress

Why are my Choisya ternata leaves getting brown tips?

Check these first

Not sure what's wrong with your mexican orange blossom?