Why Your China Doll Plant Has Burnt-Looking Leaves

Brown, singed edges on a China doll (Radermachera sinica) are common and usually not fatal. If only older leaves are affected, the cause is often environmental: letting the soil dry out too much, very dry indoor air, or mineral buildup from hard tap water.

Simple Fixes

• Water when the top inch of soil feels dry—don't let it go bone dry.
• Increase humidity with a pebble tray or humidifier.
• If your water is hard, switch to filtered, distilled, or rainwater.

When to Worry

If newly emerging leaves show brown edges, root damage may be present—either from severe mineral accumulation or root rot. In that case, inspect the root system and consider repotting in fresh, well-draining mix.

Trim off the damaged portions of older leaves; they won't heal. With consistent moisture and better water quality, new foliage should stay pristine.