Image placeholder
Yellowing leaves
EnvironmentalMedium impact
Leaves are turning yellow, which can indicate a range of problems including nutrient deficiency, overwatering, disease, or natural senescence. Identifying whether the pattern is upper or lower leaves, whole leaves or between veins, is key to diagnosis.
Currently in peak season - extra vigilance worthwhile.
Key facts
- Type
- Environmental
- Active season
- Apr - Oct
- Peak season
- Jun - Aug
- Vulnerable stages
- Growing · Harvesting
- If confirmed
- Act soon
Signs & symptoms
- -pale or yellow leaves - may be upper, lower, or throughout the plant
- -yellowing between leaf veins while veins stay green (suggests nutrient issue)
- -whole leaves yellowing and dropping (may indicate overwatering, disease, or nitrogen deficiency)
- -slowed or stopped growth
Management
Do now
- -Assess whether the pattern suggests nutrient deficiency (interveinal yellowing) or disease (yellowing + spots or mould)
- -Check soil moisture - both over and underwatering can cause yellowing
- -Feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser if growth has been fast and leaves are pale overall
Further reading
- -Lower leaf yellowing in actively growing plants is often normal senescence - focus on yellowing patterns in the upper or mid canopy as early warning signs
- -Interveinal yellowing (veins stay green, leaf tissue yellows) typically indicates magnesium or iron deficiency; overall paleness suggests nitrogen