Pocket Botanist
.jpg){kind=link}
Check these first
- Stick your finger two inches into the soil to check for dampness.
- Inspect the drainage holes to ensure water is flowing out freely.
- Look for signs of pests on the undersides of the yellowing leaves.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil feels constantly wet or muddy, and the lower leaves turn yellow and soft.
What to do: Allow the top few inches of soil to dry out slightly before watering again. Ensure your pot has excellent drainage holes and never let the tree sit in standing water.
Nutrient Deficiency
PossibleHow to tell: The leaves turn yellow while the veins remain green, suggesting a lack of iron or other micronutrients.
What to do: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength once a month during the growing season. If the soil pH is too high, consider using a fertilizer specifically formulated for acid loving plants.
Find out what's wrong with your cannonball tree
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
A single yellow leaf at the bottom of the tree is normal as the plant ages. You should worry if many leaves are turning yellow at once or if the yellowing spreads rapidly.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain a consistent watering rhythm every 2 to 4 days and ensure the soil is well draining to prevent root stress.
Cannonball tree: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your cannonball tree 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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Should I cut off the yellow leaves?
- Yes, you can trim off yellow leaves as they will not turn green again. This helps the tree focus its energy on healthy new growth.
- Can low light cause yellow leaves?
- Yes, if the tree is not getting enough light, it may shed older leaves that turn yellow first. Ensure it is in a full sun location.
More problems with Cannonball tree
Back to the Cannonball tree 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.