Check these first
- Stick your finger 3 inches into the soil to check for dampness.
- Look for white, powdery spots on the undersides of the leaves.
- Verify that your pot has functional drainage holes.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The lower leaves turn yellow and feel soft or mushy to the touch. The soil stays damp for more than 14 days and may develop a sour smell.
What to do: Let the soil dry out completely for 2 to 3 weeks. Ensure your pot has drainage holes and never let the plant sit in a saucer of standing water.
Powdery Mildew
PossibleHow to tell: This is less common for this plant, usually caused by poor air circulation or high humidity. You will see yellow patches on the leaves followed by a white, dusty fungal growth.
What to do: Improve airflow by spacing plants further apart or moving them to a breezier area. Wipe away the mildew with a damp cloth and avoid getting water on the leaves when you irrigate.
Find out what's wrong with your treasure flower
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
It is normal for the very oldest, lowest leaves to yellow and die back as the plant grows. Be concerned if the yellowing is spreading rapidly across the entire plant.
Stopping it coming back
Stick to a strict watering schedule where you allow the top few inches of soil to dry out completely before adding more water.
Treasure flower: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your treasure flower 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 snip them off with clean scissors. This keeps the plant looking neat and prevents any potential fungal issues from spreading.
- Can I save a plant with yellow leaves?
- If the roots are still firm and white, the plant will likely recover once you adjust your watering habits. If the roots are mushy and brown, it may be too late.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Treasure flower
- Why is my treasure flower not blooming?
- What are these bugs on my treasure flower?
- Why are there white spots on my treasure flower leaves?
- Why is my Gazania linearis looking leggy?
- Why are my Gazania linearis leaf tips turning brown?
- Why is my Treasure flower drooping?
- Why is my Treasure flower suffering from root rot?
- Why are my Treasure flower's leaves curling?
Back to the Treasure flower 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.

