Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Feel the soil to see if it is bone dry.
- Check if the tree is exposed to drying winds.
- Examine the soil surface for white crusty salt deposits.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips of the leaves become crispy and brown while the rest of the leaf feels dry. This happens when the tree does not get enough water during hot spells.
What to do: Water the tree deeply once a week, ensuring the moisture reaches 12 inches deep. Apply a 3 inch layer of mulch around the base to help the soil retain moisture.
Salt Accumulation
PossibleHow to tell: Brown tips appear even when the soil feels moist. This is common if you use chemical fertilizers too frequently or have salty tap water.
What to do: Flush the soil with a large amount of water to wash away excess salts. Switch to a balanced organic fertilizer and apply it only during the active growing season.
Find out what's wrong with your magnolia
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
Minor browning on the very edges is common during extreme heat. Worry if the brown patches are spreading rapidly toward the center of the leaf.
Stopping it coming back
Keep a consistent watering schedule and use mulch to protect the roots from temperature swings.
Magnolia: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your magnolia 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
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Questions people ask
- Should I trim the brown tips off?
- You can trim them for aesthetic reasons, but be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue. Use clean, sharp scissors.
- Does wind cause brown tips?
- Yes, strong or drying winds can pull moisture from the leaves faster than the roots can replace it. Consider a windbreak if your tree is in an exposed spot.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Magnolia
- Why are my magnolia's leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my magnolia not producing flowers?
- Why is my magnolia tree losing its leaves?
- What are these spots on my magnolia leaves?
- Why is my magnolia tree drooping?
- Why are there bugs on my magnolia?
- Is my magnolia suffering from root rot?
- Why is my magnolia growing so leggy?
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.