How do I make my soil more acidic?

You can add elemental sulfur or peat moss to the soil around the base of the plant.

Will yellow leaves turn green again?

Usually no. Once a leaf has lost its chlorophyll, it will likely drop off, but new growth should be healthy if the cause is fixed.

Common dogwood: yellow leaves, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check if the soil is waterlogged.
Look at the leaf veins to see if they are still green.
Test the soil pH if the yellowing is widespread.

Likely causes

Iron chlorosis
Most likely
How to tell: The veins of the leaf remain green while the tissue between them turns yellow. This happens when the plant cannot absorb enough iron from the soil.
What to do: Test your soil pH, as iron chlorosis is often linked to alkaline soil that locks up iron. Apply a chelated iron supplement to the soil according to the package instructions.
Overwatering
Possible
How to tell: The entire leaf turns yellow and may feel soft or limp. The soil will feel soggy or smell swampy.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top 2 inches of soil dry out. Ensure the planting site has good drainage and is not in a low spot where water pools.

Yellow leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your common dogwood

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

Worry if the yellowing starts at the bottom of the plant and moves upward rapidly. A few yellow leaves in the center of the shrub in late summer is normal aging.

Stopping it coming back

Avoid overwatering by checking the soil moisture before adding more water, and keep the soil pH balanced.

Common dogwood: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your common dogwood 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

How do I make my soil more acidic?: You can add elemental sulfur or peat moss to the soil around the base of the plant.
Will yellow leaves turn green again?: Usually no. Once a leaf has lost its chlorophyll, it will likely drop off, but new growth should be healthy if the cause is fixed.

Guides to these causes

Chlorosis

Why are my Common dogwood leaves turning yellow?

Check these first

Not sure what's wrong with your common dogwood?