Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Smell the soil for a musty or rotten odor.
- Check if the pot has functional drainage holes.
- Inspect the roots for a mushy texture and dark color.
Likely causes
Poor Drainage
PossibleHow to tell: The leaves turn yellow and drop, and the soil smells sour or musty. The base of the trunk may look soft or discolored.
What to do: Repot the tree into a container with plenty of drainage holes using a well-draining citrus potting mix. Trim away any mushy, black roots with sterilized shears before replanting.
Overwatering
PossibleHow to tell: The soil remains wet for days after watering, and the plant stops growing. The leaves may wilt despite the soil being saturated.
What to do: Allow the top few inches of soil to dry out completely before watering again. Ensure the pot is not sitting in a saucer of standing water.
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
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When to worry
Worry if the leaves are falling off in large numbers or the trunk feels soft. It is normal for a few leaves to drop during seasonal transitions.
Stopping it coming back
Always use a fast-draining soil mix and never let the pot sit in a tray of water.
Mandarin orange: root rot? 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.
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
- Can I save a tree with root rot?
- Yes, if you catch it early and remove the damaged roots. Repotting into fresh, dry soil is the best chance for recovery.
- How often should I water to avoid rot?
- Follow the rule of checking the top few inches of soil. If it is still damp, wait another day or two before watering.
More problems with Mandarin orange
- Why are my Mandarin orange leaves turning yellow?
- How do I get rid of pests on my Mandarin orange?
- What are these spots on my Mandarin orange leaves?
- Why is my mandarin orange tree dropping leaves?
- Why is my mandarin orange tree not flowering?
- Why are my mandarin orange leaves curling?
- Why are my mandarin orange leaves getting brown tips?
- Why is my mandarin orange tree drooping?
- Why is my mandarin orange tree looking leggy?
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.