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Lantana · Lantana camara

Why are my lantana's leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing leaves on your lantana often signal that the plant is struggling with its water intake or a pest infestation. Check the soil moisture first to see if you are overwatering or if the plant is simply too dry.

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

Check these first

  1. Feel the top inch of the soil.
  2. Inspect the undersides of the yellow leaves for tiny insects.
  3. Check that the pot has proper drainage.

Likely causes

  1. Overwatering

    Most likely

    How to tell: The soil feels constantly soggy or wet to the touch, and the leaves may look limp before turning yellow.

    What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top 2 inches of soil dry out completely. Ensure your pot has drainage holes so excess water can escape.

  2. Lantana Lace Bug

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see tiny white or yellow stippling on the top of the leaves. Check the underside for small, dark insects or their waste.

    What to do: Spray the undersides of the leaves with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Repeat the application every 7 to 10 days until the pests are gone.

Yellow leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your lantana

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

A few yellow leaves at the bottom of the plant are normal as it ages. Worry if the yellowing spreads rapidly across the entire plant.

Stopping it coming back

Water only when the top inch of soil is dry and keep the plant in full sun to maintain vigor.

Lantana: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your lantana 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 lantana with yellow leaves?
Yes, if you catch the issue early. Adjusting your watering or treating for pests usually brings the plant back to health.
Do yellow leaves mean my plant needs fertilizer?
Not usually. Yellowing is more often a sign of water stress or pests rather than a nutrient deficiency.

More problems with Lantana

Back to the Lantana 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.