Explore Classes. Our editors have independently chosen the products listed on this page. If you purchase something mentioned in this article, we may earn a small commission. July 20, It isn't getting enough water. What it looks like:. What to do about it:. It's getting too much water. It's getting too much light. Burnt leaves look crispy like underwatered ones, and they can also have brown spots. It's experiencing sudden temperature changes.
Its soil nutrients are off. Fertilize your plants once a month to ensure they're getting the nutrients they need. Are yellow leaves ever normal? Can yellow leaves turn green again? The bottom line. Emma Loewe mbg Senior Sustainability Editor. More On This Topic Beauty. Alexandra Engler. Jamie Schneider. You'll get an up-close look at soil moisture, too. Healthy plant roots are whitish yellow. Dark, rotting roots smell foul. If roots are rotten and diseased, it's time to consider a new plant.
If compaction's the problem, prune unhealthy roots, gently loosen roots and repot in a larger container with well-draining soil. With landscape plantings, improve soil compaction by aerating your lawn. Incorporate organic matter and organic mulch into your planting sites. Garden gypsum can also improve soil compaction , especially in heavy clay soils, and help keep leaves green.
Improper soil pH can cause nutrient deficiencies and yellow leaves. If you're growing container plants and feeding regularly with premium plant fertilizers , soil pH probably isn't the cause of your plant's yellow leaves.
But if your leaf problem centers on landscape plants, soil pH may be the key. Soil pH influences whether plants access nutrients. Nutrient availability changes as soil pH moves up or down the pH scale. Most plants, including lawn grasses, do best with soil pH in the neutral to slightly acidic range, near 6.
When soil pH strays lower or higher than a plant's optimal range, some nutrients become less available to it. Even though nutrients are present, plants can't take them up — even from fertilizers you add. Leaves turn yellow until pH issues are fixed. A simple soil test identifies your soil pH and provides other important information. Most testing labs also give recommendations for soil amendments to restore pH balance.
Once that happens, nutrients become available again and green leaves are back on track. Improper watering is a leading cause of yellow, wilting foliage.
When yellow leaves happen where soil pH is ideal, a true nutrient deficiency may exist. However, too much of it may lead to rot. When a plant starts to look unwell, most people react by watering. But sometimes, more water is not the answer. Before watering, though, always check to see whether the soil is moist. Plug a finger and inch or more into the soil.
Is it wet? Skip watering. Key indicators : Aside from yellow leaves, overwatered plants might have roots that rise out of the soil in an attempt to avoid suffocation. Remedy : Make sure to use well-draining soil for potted or garden plants. Avoid containers with no drainage holes, or add holes yourself. Just to make it interesting, too little moisture also can cause leaves to turn yellow.
Generally, however, plants are better at handling a lack of water than an abundance of it. Key indicators : Yellow leaves, parched soil, and lack of growth.
Leaves might also feel dry and brittle to the touch and look droopy. Remedy : Good old H2O will fix the problem. Prevent it in the future with consistent watering; add a layer of mulch around outdoor plants in dry areas. A lack of nutrients can cause problems when damaged or compacted roots cannot deliver food to a plant.
A plant might be unable to access nutrients for other reasons, including pH imbalance. Other times, nutrients might be completely missing from the soil. Key indicators : Specific deficiencies produce different symptoms. While it may be painful if it's a favorite, you may have to discard any plants that you cannot bring back to health. Wash and sterilize any pruning tools or pots before using on other plants. Missouri Botanical Garden, Perry, L. Why Houseplants Drop Leaves.
Diagnosing Nutrient Deficiencies. University of Missouri Extension. Hosack, P and Miller, L. Preventing and Managing Plant Diseases.
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