Pocket Botanist
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Check these first
- Poke your finger two inches into the soil to check for dampness.
- Inspect the drainage holes to ensure they are not blocked.
- Check the base of the plant for any signs of mushy stems.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The lower leaves turn yellow and the soil feels damp or heavy to the touch. You might also notice a musty smell coming from the pot.
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 fresh, sandy, well draining potting mix.
Poor Drainage
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil remains soggy long after watering, and the pot lacks sufficient drainage holes. This creates an environment where roots cannot breathe.
What to do: Ensure your pot has large drainage holes at the bottom. Elevate the pot on feet or a saucer with pebbles to allow excess water to escape freely.
Find out what's wrong with your lavender
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 plant, it is likely root rot and requires urgent action. A single yellow leaf at the very base is often just natural aging.
Stopping it coming back
Only water your lavender when the soil is completely dry, which typically happens every 7 to 14 days. Always use a gritty, fast draining soil mix designed for Mediterranean plants.
Keep your lavender healthy from here
Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.
Questions people ask
- Should I cut off the yellow leaves?
- Yes, you can snip them off with clean scissors to keep the plant looking tidy. This also helps you monitor if the yellowing is continuing to spread.
- Can low light cause yellow leaves?
- Yes, lavender needs full, direct sun to thrive. If it is kept in a dim corner, the leaves will lose their vigor and turn yellow.
More problems with Lavender
This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.