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Sheep's fescue · Festuca ovina

Why are my sheep's fescue leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing leaves on sheep's fescue are less common and usually point to moisture issues. Check your soil drainage first to see if the roots are sitting in water.

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

Check these first

  1. Feel the soil two inches deep to see if it is wet.
  2. Check that the pot has holes for water to escape.
  3. Inspect the base of the plant for signs of rot.

Likely causes

  1. Overwatering

    Possible

    How to tell: The base of the plant feels mushy and the foliage turns a dull yellow or brown.

    What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the soil dry out completely. If the soil stays wet for more than a few days, repot the plant into a well draining mix with added perlite.

  2. Poor Drainage

    Possible

    How to tell: The soil remains heavy and damp long after you have watered the plant.

    What to do: Ensure your pot has large drainage holes at the bottom. Use a gritty soil mix designed for ornamental grasses to help water pass through quickly.

Yellow leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your sheep's fescue

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

Worry if the entire clump turns yellow and feels soft. It is normal for a few older inner blades to yellow as the plant grows.

Stopping it coming back

Water only when the top two inches of soil are dry and always use a fast draining soil mix.

Sheep's fescue: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your sheep's fescue 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 trim them back to the base to keep the plant looking tidy. This also improves airflow around the crown.
Can low light cause yellowing?
Yes, sheep's fescue needs full sun to stay healthy. If it is in too much shade, the blades will lose their color and become weak.

More problems with Sheep's fescue

Back to the Sheep's fescue 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.