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Mandarin orange · Citrus reticulata

Why are my mandarin orange leaves getting brown tips?

It is less common for a mandarin orange to have brown tips, usually caused by low humidity or salt buildup from fertilizer. Check your watering habits and soil drainage first to rule out moisture stress.

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Check these first

  1. Check the soil surface for white salt crusts.
  2. Feel the air around the plant for dry heat from vents.
  3. Measure the humidity levels in your room.

Likely causes

  1. Low Humidity

    Possible

    How to tell: The tips turn crisp and brown while the rest of the leaf remains green. This happens most often in dry indoor environments during winter.

    What to do: Place a pebble tray filled with water under the pot to increase local humidity. You can also mist the leaves daily or move the plant away from heating vents.

  2. Fertilizer Salt Buildup

    Possible

    How to tell: White crusty deposits appear on the soil surface or the rim of the pot. The leaf tips brown as salts accumulate in the leaf tissue.

    What to do: Flush the soil by running clean water through the pot for several minutes until it drains freely from the bottom. Skip fertilizing for 4 to 6 weeks to let the roots recover.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your mandarin orange

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.

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When to worry

Worry if the browning spreads rapidly toward the center of the leaf or affects new growth. A few older leaves with minor tip burn is normal as the plant ages.

Stopping it coming back

Use filtered water if your tap water is heavily treated and flush the soil every few months to clear out excess minerals.

Mandarin orange: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

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

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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 cause this?
Yes, high levels of chlorine or fluoride in tap water can cause tip burn over time. Letting your water sit out overnight before using it can help.

More problems with Mandarin orange

Back to the Mandarin orange guide

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.