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Coffee plant · Coffea

Why are my coffee plant's leaves turning yellow?

Yellow leaves on a coffee plant usually signal that the watering schedule is off or the plant is lacking nutrients. Check the soil moisture level first to see if it is too wet or too dry.

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

Check these first

  1. Poke your finger an inch into the soil to check for dampness.
  2. Inspect the drainage holes to make sure they are not clogged.
  3. Look at the undersides of the leaves for any signs of pests.

Likely causes

  1. Overwatering

    Most likely

    How to tell: The leaves turn yellow and feel soft or mushy to the touch.

    What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top 2 inches of soil dry out completely. Ensure your pot has drainage holes so excess water can escape.

  2. Nutrient deficiency

    Possible

    How to tell: It is less common for this plant, but yellowing between the veins often points to a lack of nitrogen or magnesium. This happens when the plant has been in the same soil for over a year without fertilizer.

    What to do: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season. Use a formula specifically made for acid loving plants if possible.

Yellow leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your coffee plant

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 oldest, lowest leaves to yellow and drop occasionally as the plant grows. Worry if the yellowing spreads rapidly across the newer leaves.

Stopping it coming back

Maintain a consistent watering schedule and feed your plant regularly during the spring and summer months.

Coffee plant: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your coffee plant 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 scissors. They will not turn green again and removing them helps the plant focus energy on new growth.
Does low light cause yellow leaves?
Yes, if the plant is kept in a dark corner, it may shed older leaves to conserve energy. Move it to a spot with bright, indirect light.

More problems with Coffee plant

Back to the Coffee plant 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.