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Green antelopehorn · Asclepias viridis

Why are my Green antelopehorn leaves turning yellow?

Yellow leaves are less common for this hardy native plant and usually point to issues with soil moisture or drainage. Check your soil moisture levels first to see if the roots are sitting in water for too long.

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

Check these first

  1. Feel the soil 3 inches deep to check for excess moisture.
  2. Inspect the drainage of your planting site.
  3. Look for signs of aphids on the undersides of the leaves.

Likely causes

  1. Overwatering

    Possible

    How to tell: The lower leaves turn yellow and feel soft or mushy to the touch. The soil stays damp for more than 14 days.

    What to do: Stop watering immediately until the top 3 inches of soil feel dry. Ensure your planting site has excellent drainage and is not in a low spot where water pools.

  2. Nutrient Deficiency

    Possible

    How to tell: Older leaves turn a pale yellow while the veins remain green. This often happens in very sandy or depleted soil.

    What to do: Apply a balanced, slow release organic fertilizer once in early spring. Avoid heavy chemical fertilizers that can burn the sensitive roots of native milkweeds.

Yellow leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your green antelopehorn

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

It is normal for the very bottom leaves to yellow and fall off as the plant matures during the heat of summer. Worry if the yellowing spreads rapidly to the upper foliage.

Stopping it coming back

Plant in well draining soil and avoid overwatering once the plant is established.

Green antelopehorn: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your green antelopehorn 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 to keep the plant looking tidy. This also helps you monitor if the yellowing continues to spread.
Can aphids cause yellow leaves?
Yes, heavy aphid infestations can drain the plant and cause leaves to yellow. Check the new growth for clusters of small insects.

More problems with Green antelopehorn

Back to the Green antelopehorn 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.