Pocket Botanist
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Check these first
- Inspect the undersides of leaves for tiny webs.
- Press your finger one inch into the soil.
- Check if the pot has drainage holes.
Likely causes
Spider mites
Most likelyHow to tell: You will see tiny webbing between the leaves and small yellow stippling marks on the foliage.
What to do: Spray the plant with a strong stream of water to knock them off. Follow up with insecticidal soap every 5 to 7 days until they are gone.
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The lower leaves turn yellow and feel soft or mushy to the touch.
What to do: Let the top inch of soil dry out completely before watering again. Ensure your pot has drainage holes so water does not sit at the roots.
Find out what's wrong with your carnation
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
If the yellowing spreads rapidly across the whole plant, it may be a fungal issue that is hard to reverse. A few yellow leaves at the base are usually just normal aging.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the foliage dry when watering and ensure your carnation gets plenty of airflow.
Carnation: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your carnation 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
- Can I save a carnation with yellow leaves?
- Yes, if you catch the cause early. Trim off the damaged leaves and adjust your watering or pest control routine.
- Does too much sun cause yellowing?
- Usually no, as carnations love full sun. If they are yellowing, it is almost always due to water issues or pests.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Carnation
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.