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Sodom Apple · Calotropis procera

Why are my Sodom Apple leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing leaves on a Sodom Apple usually point to issues with how you are watering. Check the soil moisture first to see if you are being too generous with the hose.

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

Check these first

  1. Stick your finger two inches into the soil to check for dampness.
  2. Ensure the pot has holes at the bottom.
  3. Observe if the plant is getting enough direct sunlight.

Likely causes

  1. Overwatering

    Most likely

    How to tell: The lower leaves turn yellow and feel soft or mushy. The soil stays damp for more than 20 days.

    What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the soil dry out completely. Ensure your pot has drainage holes so excess water can escape.

  2. Lack of sunlight

    Possible

    How to tell: The leaves turn pale yellow and the plant looks stretched out. This happens when the plant is kept in a shady spot.

    What to do: Move your plant to a location with full, direct sun. It needs at least 6 to 8 hours of direct light daily to stay green.

Yellow leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your sodom apple

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 single yellow leaf at the very bottom of the plant is normal aging. Worry if multiple leaves yellow at once or if the stem feels soft.

Stopping it coming back

Always let the soil dry out completely between waterings, usually every 10 to 20 days depending on the heat.

Sodom Apple: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your sodom apple 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 trim them off with clean scissors. They will not turn green again.
Is my plant dying?
Not necessarily, but it is telling you that the roots are unhappy. Adjust your watering habits and it should recover.

More problems with Sodom Apple

Back to the Sodom Apple 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.