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Jasmine · Jasminum

Why are my jasmine's leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing leaves on a jasmine usually point to an issue with water balance or soil drainage. Check the soil moisture first 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. Touch the top inch of soil to see if it is soggy.
  2. Check the drainage holes to ensure they are not blocked.
  3. Look at the underside of the leaves for tiny pests.

Likely causes

  1. Overwatering

    Most likely

    How to tell: The leaves turn yellow and feel soft or mushy to the touch. The soil stays wet for a long time after watering.

    What to do: Let the top inch 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: Older leaves turn yellow while the veins remain green. This often happens if the plant has been in the same pot for a long time.

    What to do: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season. If the plant is root bound, consider repotting it into fresh soil.

Yellow leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your jasmine

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

It is normal for the oldest leaves at the base of the plant to yellow and fall off occasionally. Worry if the yellowing is spreading rapidly across the entire plant.

Stopping it coming back

Always check the soil moisture before watering and never let the pot sit in a saucer of standing water.

Jasmine: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your jasmine 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 low light cause yellow leaves?
Yes, if a jasmine does not get enough light, it may shed older leaves that turn yellow. Move the plant to a brighter location.
Should I cut off the yellow leaves?
Yes, you can snip them off with clean scissors. They will not turn green again and removing them keeps the plant tidy.

More problems with Jasmine

Back to the Jasmine 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.