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Coral vine · Antigonon leptopus

Why are my Coral vine leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing leaves on a Coral vine usually point to a moisture imbalance in the soil. Check the soil moisture levels first to see if you are overwatering or underwatering.

Not sure it's this? Check a photo of your plant for free

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

Check these first

  1. Stick your finger 3 inches into the soil to check for dampness.
  2. Inspect the drainage area for standing water.
  3. Look for signs of pests on the undersides of the yellow leaves.

Likely causes

  1. Overwatering

    Most likely

    How to tell: The yellow leaves feel soft or mushy, and the soil stays damp for days. You might notice a slight musty smell from the pot or ground.

    What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top 3 inches of soil dry out completely. Ensure the drainage holes are clear or improve the soil drainage with perlite or sand.

  2. Nutrient Deficiency

    Possible

    How to tell: Older leaves turn yellow while the veins remain green. This often happens in container plants that have been in the same soil for a long time.

    What to do: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. If the plant is in a pot, consider repotting it into fresh, nutrient rich potting mix.

Yellow leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your coral vine

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

A few yellow leaves at the very base of the plant are normal as the vine ages. Worry if the yellowing is spreading rapidly toward the tips of the vines.

Stopping it coming back

Always wait until the top few inches of soil are dry before giving the plant a deep soak.

Coral vine: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your coral vine 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 the yellow leaves?
Yes, you can snip them off with clean shears. This keeps the plant looking tidy and helps you monitor if the yellowing continues to spread.
Can cold weather cause yellowing?
Yes, Coral vine is sensitive to frost. If temperatures drop suddenly, the leaves may yellow and drop as the plant prepares to go dormant.

More problems with Coral vine

Back to the Coral vine 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.