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Carob · Ceratonia siliqua

Why are my carob tree leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing leaves on a carob tree often point to issues with moisture or soil drainage. Check your watering schedule first to see if the soil is staying damp for too long.

Not sure it's this? Check a photo of your plant for free

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 drainage holes to ensure they are not blocked.
  3. Check the base of the trunk for any signs of mushy bark.

Likely causes

  1. Overwatering

    Most likely

    How to tell: The leaves turn yellow and feel soft or mushy to the touch. The soil remains damp long after you watered it.

    What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the soil dry out completely. If the soil is heavy, mix in some coarse sand or perlite to improve drainage for the future.

  2. Nutrient Deficiency

    Possible

    How to tell: Yellowing appears between the veins or on older leaves while the plant is otherwise growing. This happens if the tree has been in the same pot for years without fresh soil.

    What to do: Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer during the active growing season. Follow the package instructions for a tree of your size.

Yellow leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your carob

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 few yellow leaves on the inner branches are normal as the tree ages. Worry if the yellowing spreads rapidly across the entire canopy.

Stopping it coming back

Stick to a strict schedule of watering only when the soil is almost completely dry.

Carob: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your carob 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 tree looking tidy. It will not hurt the plant.
Can low light cause yellowing?
Yes, carob trees need full sun. If they are kept in a dim corner, they will struggle and lose their vibrant green color.

More problems with Carob

Back to the Carob 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.