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Morning Glory · Ipomoea

Why are my morning glory leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing leaves on a morning glory usually point to issues with water or soil drainage. Check the soil moisture level to see if you are overwatering.

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

Check these first

  1. Stick your finger into the soil to check for dampness.
  2. Inspect the drainage holes to ensure they are not blocked.
  3. Look at the undersides of the leaves for pests.

Likely causes

  1. Overwatering

    Most likely

    How to tell: The leaves turn yellow and feel soft or mushy. The soil stays wet for days after watering.

    What to do: Let the top 2 inches of soil dry out completely before watering again. Ensure your pot has drainage holes so excess water can escape.

  2. Nutrient Deficiency

    Possible

    How to tell: The leaves turn yellow while the veins remain green. This often happens in container plants that have used up all the soil nutrients.

    What to do: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Repeat every 2 to 4 weeks during the growing season.

Yellow leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your morning glory

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

If the yellowing spreads rapidly across the whole vine, it is a sign of root stress. It is normal for the oldest leaves at the very bottom of the vine to yellow and drop as the plant grows.

Stopping it coming back

Water only when the soil feels dry to the touch and use well draining potting mix.

Morning Glory: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your morning glory 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

Can I save a plant with yellow leaves?
Yes, if you catch it early. Adjust your watering and the plant should start producing healthy green leaves again.
Should I remove the yellow leaves?
Yes, you can snip them off to keep the plant looking tidy and prevent potential fungal issues.

More problems with Morning Glory

Back to the Morning Glory 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.