Biochar addition can enhance plant growth and change soil physicochemical properties in saline soil. However, it is unclear whether the positioning of biochar additions (e.g., rhizosphere addition and surface addition) alters such impacts and whether such positioning effects interact with salinity levels. In the Yellow River Delta, China, we carried out a field experiment in which biochar was not added (control) or was added to the soil surface (surface addition) or to the soil at the rhizosphere position (rhizosphere addition) of Phragmites australis in three sites with different salt levels (1‰ - low, 5‰ - medium and 10‰ - high). Rhizosphere addition of biochar significantly improved the growth of P. australis, especially its fine root mass. Both rhizosphere addition and surface addition of biochar significantly decreased nitrate nitrogen content and electrical conductivity, and the inhibitory effects were more effective at the sites with medium and high salt levels in 2018. Structural equation modeling showed that biochar addition could directly increase the fine root mass of P. australis by decreasing the soil electrical conductivity, further improving the total mass of P. australis. Overall, rhizosphere addition of biochar is a better choice for improving the productivity of P. australis in saline soil and is beneficial to P. australis wetland restoration in the Yellow River Delta. Long-term field research is needed to better understand the effect and mechanism of biochar application. Display omitted •Rhizosphere addition of biochar increased biomass of Phragmites australis.•Rhizosphere addition and surface addition of biochar decreased soil NO3−-N and EC.•The inhibition effects were more effective in medium and high salt levels in 2018.•Biochar addition could increase biomass of P. australis via decreasing soil EC.