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Apricot · Prunus armeniaca

Why are my apricot tree's leaf tips turning brown?

It is less common for an apricot tree to show brown tips, and this usually happens due to salt buildup or inconsistent watering rather than a disease. Check your soil moisture levels first to see if the ground is too dry or holding too much salt.

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Check these first

  1. Check the soil moisture two inches below the surface.
  2. Examine the leaves for signs of salt crusting on the soil surface.
  3. Evaluate your recent fertilization schedule.

Likely causes

  1. Salt accumulation

    Most likely

    How to tell: The tips turn brown and brittle while the rest of the leaf looks healthy. This often happens if you use softened water or apply too much fertilizer.

    What to do: Flush the soil thoroughly with plain, unsoftened water to wash away excess salts. Avoid using chemical fertilizers for 4 to 6 weeks to let the roots recover.

  2. Inconsistent watering

    Possible

    How to tell: The leaves feel dry and the tips crisp up during hot spells. The soil likely feels bone dry several inches down.

    What to do: Water your tree deeply every 7 to 14 days to ensure moisture reaches the deep roots. Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base to keep the soil consistently moist.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your apricot

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 across the entire leaf or affects the fruit. Minor tip browning is often just a reaction to a recent heat wave.

Stopping it coming back

Water deeply and consistently throughout the growing season to prevent stress. Avoid over fertilizing, especially during the hottest months of the year.

Apricot: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your apricot 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

Can tap water cause brown tips?
Yes, if your tap water is high in minerals or chlorine, it can accumulate in the leaf tips. Try using collected rainwater instead.
Should I trim the brown tips off?
You can trim them for aesthetic reasons using clean shears. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Apricot

Back to the Apricot 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.