Will yellow leaves turn green again?

No, once a leaf has turned yellow due to chlorosis, it will not return to green. Focus on keeping new growth healthy.

Can I use regular fertilizer to fix yellow leaves?

Regular fertilizer might not help if the soil pH is too high. Always use an acid loving plant fertilizer for camellias.

Sasanqua camellia: yellow leaves, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check if the leaf veins are green while the rest of the leaf is yellow.
Feel the soil to see if it is soggy or bone dry.
Test the soil pH with a home kit.

Likely causes

Iron Chlorosis
Most likely
How to tell: The leaves turn yellow while the veins remain a bright, healthy green.
What to do: Test your soil pH, as camellias need acidic soil between 5.5 and 6.5. Apply a chelated iron supplement or an acidifying fertilizer according to the package instructions to correct the nutrient deficiency.
Poor Drainage
Possible
How to tell: The entire leaf turns yellow and the soil feels soggy or smells sour.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry out. If the plant is in a low spot, consider transplanting it to a raised bed or a location with better drainage.

Yellow leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your sasanqua camellia

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.

When to worry

A few yellow leaves near the bottom of the plant in spring is normal as the plant sheds old foliage. Worry if the yellowing spreads rapidly across the entire canopy.

Stopping it coming back

Maintain acidic soil conditions and ensure the plant is never sitting in standing water.

Sasanqua camellia: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your sasanqua camellia 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.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Will yellow leaves turn green again?: No, once a leaf has turned yellow due to chlorosis, it will not return to green. Focus on keeping new growth healthy.
Can I use regular fertilizer to fix yellow leaves?: Regular fertilizer might not help if the soil pH is too high. Always use an acid loving plant fertilizer for camellias.

Guides to these causes

Chlorosis

Why are my Sasanqua camellia leaves turning yellow?

Check these first

Not sure what's wrong with your sasanqua camellia?