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Western mugwort · Artemisia ludoviciana

Why are my Artemisia ludoviciana leaves turning yellow?

It is less common for this plant to have yellow leaves, which usually happens when the soil stays damp for too long. Check your soil moisture first to see if the roots are sitting in water.

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

Check these first

  1. Feel the soil two inches deep to check for moisture.
  2. Inspect the base of the stems for signs of mushiness.
  3. Observe the amount of direct sunlight the plant gets daily.

Likely causes

  1. Overwatering

    Possible

    How to tell: The lower leaves turn yellow and feel soft or mushy to the touch. The soil will remain damp for several days after watering.

    What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the soil dry out completely. If the soil is heavy, repot the plant into a well draining mix with extra perlite or sand.

  2. Lack of Sunlight

    Possible

    How to tell: The leaves turn a pale yellow and the stems look stretched or thin. This happens when the plant is kept in a spot with too much shade.

    What to do: Move your plant to a location that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun daily. Gradually introduce it to more light over a week to prevent leaf scorch.

Yellow leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your western mugwort

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 the oldest bottom leaves to yellow and drop as the plant grows.

Stopping it coming back

Always allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings and ensure your pot has drainage holes.

Western mugwort: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your western mugwort 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 scissors to keep the plant looking tidy. This also helps you monitor if the yellowing continues to spread.
Can I save a plant with yellow leaves?
If the roots are still firm and white, you can usually save it by adjusting your watering habits. If the roots are brown and slimy, the damage may be too far gone.

More problems with Western mugwort

Back to the Western mugwort 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.