Should I remove the yellow leaves?

Yes, you can pluck them off. It keeps the plant looking tidy and helps you spot if new leaves start turning yellow.

Could it be a disease?

While possible, it is rare. Most yellowing is due to water management or soil issues rather than a pathogen.

Trumpet vine: yellow leaves, causes and fixes

Check these first

Feel the soil to see if it is soggy or waterlogged.
Check the drainage of the area where the vine is planted.
Look for signs of pests on the undersides of the yellowing leaves.

Likely causes

Overwatering
Most likely
How to tell: The leaves turn yellow and feel soft or mushy. The soil stays wet for days after watering.
What to do: Let the top 2 to 3 inches of soil dry out completely before watering again. Ensure the planting site has good drainage and is not sitting in a low spot.
Nutrient deficiency
Possible
How to tell: The leaves turn yellow while the veins remain green. This often happens in very poor or alkaline soil.
What to do: Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer in early spring. If the soil is very alkaline, adding organic compost can help balance the pH.

Yellow leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your trumpet vine

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 at the bottom of the plant in late summer are normal as the plant ages. Worry if the yellowing is spreading rapidly across the whole vine.

Stopping it coming back

Water only when the soil feels dry to the touch and avoid planting in areas that collect standing water.

Trumpet vine: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your trumpet vine 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

Should I remove the yellow leaves?: Yes, you can pluck them off. It keeps the plant looking tidy and helps you spot if new leaves start turning yellow.
Could it be a disease?: While possible, it is rare. Most yellowing is due to water management or soil issues rather than a pathogen.

Why are my trumpet vine's leaves turning yellow?