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Tarragon · Artemisia dracunculus

Why are my tarragon leaves turning yellow?

Yellow leaves on tarragon usually point to issues with moisture levels in the soil. Check your watering schedule first to see if the plant is sitting in soggy ground.

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

Check these first

  1. Touch the soil to see if it feels soggy.
  2. Check the drainage holes to ensure they are not blocked.
  3. Look for signs of pests on the undersides of the leaves.

Likely causes

  1. Overwatering

    Most likely

    How to tell: The leaves turn yellow starting from the bottom of the plant and the soil feels constantly wet. You might notice a musty smell coming from the pot.

    What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top 2 inches of soil dry out completely. If the soil stays wet for more than a week, repot the plant into fresh, well draining potting mix.

  2. Nutrient deficiency

    Possible

    How to tell: This is less common for this plant, usually caused by growing in the same soil for too long without fertilizer. The leaves turn a pale yellow while the veins remain green.

    What to do: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength once a month during the growing season. Ensure you are using a potting mix that has not been depleted of nutrients.

Yellow leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your tarragon

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 the yellowing spreads rapidly across the whole plant. It is normal for a few older leaves at the base to yellow and drop as the plant grows.

Stopping it coming back

Only water when the top inch of soil is dry and always use a pot with good drainage holes.

Tarragon: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your tarragon 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 off yellow leaves with clean scissors to help the plant focus energy on healthy growth. They will not turn green again.
Does tarragon need fertilizer?
Tarragon does not need much, but a light feeding during the spring helps keep the leaves vibrant. Avoid overfeeding as it can reduce the flavor of the leaves.

More problems with Tarragon

Back to the Tarragon 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.