Pocket Botanist
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Check these first
- Check the soil moisture level by sticking your finger 2 inches deep.
- Inspect the base of the tree for signs of standing water.
- Look at the leaf veins to see if they remain green.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil feels constantly wet or swampy, and the yellowing starts on lower leaves.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top 3 inches of soil dry out. Ensure the area has proper drainage to prevent water from pooling around the roots.
Nutrient Deficiency
PossibleHow to tell: Leaves turn yellow while veins remain green, often indicating a lack of iron or nitrogen.
What to do: Test your soil pH to ensure it is not too alkaline. Apply a balanced fertilizer once in early spring to support healthy growth.
Find out what's wrong with your tree of heaven
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
Worry if the yellowing spreads rapidly across the entire canopy. It is normal for a few older leaves to yellow and drop in late summer.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain a consistent watering schedule and avoid over fertilizing.
Tree of heaven: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your tree of heaven 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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Will yellow leaves turn green again?
- No, once a leaf has turned yellow, it will not return to green. Focus on keeping the new growth healthy.
- Can too much sun cause yellow leaves?
- Tree of heaven loves full sun, so it is rarely the cause of yellowing. Check for water issues instead.
More problems with Tree of heaven
Back to the Tree of heaven 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.