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Check these first
- Test your soil for nitrogen levels.
- Inspect the grass tips for signs of mite damage.
- Check if you have been fertilizing regularly.
Likely causes
Nitrogen deficiency
Most likelyHow to tell: The grass looks pale green or yellow across the entire lawn rather than in patches.
What to do: Apply a nitrogen rich fertilizer specifically for lawns. Follow the package instructions for your square footage and water it in well immediately after application.
Bermudagrass mites
PossibleHow to tell: You see stunted growth and yellowing blades, often with a witches broom effect where the tips look bunched up.
What to do: Mow the grass shorter to remove infested tips and bag the clippings. Apply a labeled miticide if the infestation is severe.
Find out what's wrong with your bermuda grass
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
Worry if the yellowing spreads rapidly or if the grass begins to die back in large patches. Some yellowing is normal during the dormant winter season.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain a consistent fertilization schedule and keep your mower blades sharp to reduce plant stress.
Bermuda grass: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your bermuda grass 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
- Will my grass turn green again?
- Yes, once the nutrient deficiency is corrected or the pests are managed, the grass will recover.
- Can I over fertilize?
- Yes, applying too much fertilizer can burn the grass and cause more yellowing. Always measure your lawn area before applying.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Bermuda grass
Back to the Bermuda grass 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.