Research the light requirements of your ailing plant to understand if it needsfull sunor can tolerate partial shade.
For potted plants, the remedy can be as easy as moving it to a sunnier location.
Altering the light situation of in-ground plants is more difficult.
The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong
If a nearby tree or shrub is casting shade, you might be able to prune it.
If that is not possible, you may have to dig up and move the yellowing plant.
Lack of Water
Yellow leavesare a common sign that the plant needs water.
The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong
A few hot days without water can be enough for yellowing to occur.
Excess Water
Too much water can also be the cause of yellow leaves.
In this environment, the plant roots can rot.
Chlorosis of leaves on apple tree indicating mineral deficiencyAndrey Maximenko / Getty Images
Do not plant in spots with poor drainage or amend the soil before planting.
Another option when you have poor-quality soil is to considerraised beds.
The most reliable way to assess the problem is to do a soil test.
Measuring soil pHdeyangeorgiev / Getty Images
This will provide precise information about the soil’s nutrient content so that you might fertilize appropriately.
High Soil pH
Yellowing leaves can also be sparked by soil that is too alkaline for the plant.
In soil with a pH above 7, iron is less soluble and therefore less available.
The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong
Combine a soil test with apH test.
Fertilizer Burn
If leaves look burned or scorched, it can also indicate that you fertilized too much.
The damage can occur in two ways.
The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong
One, soluble salts in the fertilizer can draw moisture from the roots, causing yellowing.
Or two, fertilizer granules or liquid fertilizer can be spilled directly on the leaves, altering the color.
Not all plants are equally sensitive to foliage fertilizer burn, and hot, dry weather increases the damage.
Be careful when applying fertilizer.
Don’t let any get on the leaves, and water the soil right away after utility.
The same applies to herbicides.
Early blight begins with spots that have a yellow halo which later merge.
Insect Damage
The damage from several insects can cause the yellowing of leaves, especially in vegetables.
Common culprits are harlequin bugs,spider mites,squash bugs, and whiteflies.
Normal Aging
Leaves yellowing and subsequent dropping can simply be part of the aging process of the foliage.
This is especially true for the oldest leaves of plants, which are usually near the base.
