Yellow leaves
One of the most common issues, and one of the most ambiguous — the location and pattern of yellowing matters more than the color itself.
Causes, how to tell, and fixes
- 1
Nitrogen deficiency
How to tell
Starts with lower/older leaves, yellows evenly, often progresses to the whole leaf before it drops
Fix
Increase nitrogen in the next feeding; this is most common in mid-to-late vegetative stage when the plant's appetite has grown past its current feeding schedule
- 2
Overwatering
How to tell
Yellowing paired with drooping, and soil that stays wet for days rather than drying between waterings
Fix
Let soil dry out more between waterings; check that pots have adequate drainage
- 3
Normal late-flowering senescence
Normal — not a problem
How to tell
Happens in the final weeks of flowering, spreads gradually and evenly rather than starting from one spot
Fix
Nothing to fix — this is a normal part of the plant finishing up, not a problem
- 4
pH lockout
How to tell
Yellowing that doesn't respond to more feeding, sometimes with other odd discoloration
Fix
Check soil/water pH (most soil grows want roughly 6.0–7.0) — nutrients can be present but unavailable to the plant outside that range