The present invention discloses a compound preservative for tangerines, and the compound preservative consists of chitosan (concentration, 5-15 g / L), vitamin C (concentration, 2-5.5 g / L), rosemary (concentration, 2-5.5 g / L), citric acid (concentration, 1-2 g / L), calcium propionate (concentration, 1-2 g / L), licorice extract (concentration, 5-8 g / L), phytic acid (mass percent concentration, 0.1-0.3%), carboxymethyl cellulose (concentration, 3.5-5.5 g / L), cordate houttuynia extract (concentration, 4-6 g / L), caulis impatientis extract (concentration, 5-12 g / L) and orange peel extract (concentration, 5-8 g / L), and the compound preservative uses water as solvent. Compared to the traditional chemical preservative, the compound preservative is green and safe, free of toxic side effects on human health, and excellent in preservation effect.