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Check these first
- Check the soil moisture with your finger.
- Inspect the pot for standing water.
- Look at the base of the stem for mushy spots.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves turn yellow and the base of the stem feels soft or mushy. You might also notice a sour smell coming from the soil.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top 2 inches of soil dry out. If the soil is heavy, repot the plant into a well draining mix with perlite.
Poor Drainage
PossibleHow to tell: Water pools on the surface for a long time after you water. The plant looks wilted even when the soil feels wet.
What to do: Ensure your pot has large drainage holes at the bottom. Elevate the pot on a saucer with pebbles to keep it from sitting in excess water.
Find out what's wrong with your large-leaved lupine
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 stem base is black and mushy, the plant is likely beyond saving. It is normal for old lower leaves to yellow as the plant grows.
Stopping it coming back
Only water when the top inch of soil is dry to the touch. Always use a pot with adequate drainage holes.
Keep your large-leaved lupine 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
- Can I save a plant with root rot?
- If only a few roots are affected, you can trim them away and repot in fresh soil. If the rot has reached the main stem, the plant will not recover.
- How often should I water my lupine?
- Aim for every 5 to 7 days, but always check the soil first. Keep it moist but never let it sit in a puddle.
More problems with Large-leaved lupine
- Why are there bugs on my Large-leaved lupine?
- Why are there white spots on my Large-leaved lupine?
- Why is my Large-leaved lupine drooping?
- Why are my lupine leaves turning yellow?
- Why are my lupine's leaf tips turning brown?
- Why is my lupine not flowering?
- Why is my lupine growing so leggy?
- Why are my lupine's leaves curling?
Back to the Large-leaved lupine guide
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.