Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the soil moisture at a depth of 6 inches.
- Inspect the leaves for signs of salt crusting on the surface.
- Review your recent watering schedule.
Likely causes
Salt Accumulation
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips of the leaflets turn crisp and brown while the rest of the leaf stays green. This often happens in areas with hard water or heavy fertilizer use.
What to do: Flush the soil deeply with a slow trickle of water for 1 to 2 hours to wash salts away. Avoid using high salt fertilizers near the root zone.
Underwatering
PossibleHow to tell: The entire canopy may look slightly wilted before the tips turn brown. The soil will feel bone dry several inches down.
What to do: Apply water slowly at the drip line every 14 to 30 days. Ensure the water penetrates at least 2 to 3 feet deep to reach the deep roots.
Find out what's wrong with your honey mesquite
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 to the entire leaf or causes premature leaf drop. A few brown tips on older leaves during the peak of summer is normal.
Stopping it coming back
Water deeply and infrequently to encourage deep root growth and prevent salt buildup in the topsoil.
Honey mesquite: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your honey mesquite 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 off the brown tips?
- You can trim them for aesthetics, but it is not necessary for the health of the tree. Use clean, sharp shears.
- Does fertilizer cause brown tips?
- Yes, over fertilizing can lead to salt burn on the tips. Honey mesquite rarely needs fertilizer in native soils.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Honey mesquite
Back to the Honey mesquite 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.