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Boab · Adansonia gregorii

Why are my Boab's leaves turning yellow?

It is less common for a Boab to have yellow leaves, as this plant is built for arid conditions. This symptom usually points to overwatering or poor drainage, so check the soil moisture first.

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yellow leaves on a plant
Photo: Trio3D, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Feel the soil at least 3 inches deep to see if it is wet.
  2. Check the drainage holes to ensure they are not blocked.
  3. Inspect the base of the trunk for any signs of soft or mushy tissue.

Likely causes

  1. Overwatering

    Most likely

    How to tell: The leaves turn yellow and feel soft or mushy to the touch. The soil stays damp for more than a few days after watering.

    What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the soil dry out completely. If the soil stays wet, repot the plant into a fast draining cactus mix with added perlite.

  2. Nutrient Deficiency

    Possible

    How to tell: Older leaves turn yellow while the veins remain green. This happens when the plant has been in the same pot for many years without fresh soil.

    What to do: Apply a balanced, water soluble fertilizer diluted to half strength during the active growing season. Only fertilize once every 2 months to avoid burning the roots.

Yellow leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your boab

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

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When to worry

Be concerned if multiple leaves yellow at once or if the trunk feels soft. It is normal for the oldest leaves to yellow and drop as the plant enters its natural dormancy period.

Stopping it coming back

Always allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings and use a gritty, well draining soil mix.

Boab: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your boab and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

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Questions people ask

Should I cut off yellow leaves?
Yes, you can snip them off with clean shears once they are mostly yellow. This keeps the plant looking tidy.
Can low light cause yellowing?
Yes, Boabs need full sun. If they do not get enough light, they may struggle to maintain their foliage.

More problems with Boab

Back to the Boab guide

This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.