Should I cut off the yellow leaves?

Yes, you can snip them off. They will not turn green again and removing them helps the plant focus energy on new growth.

Is my plant dying if it has yellow leaves?

Not necessarily. It is often just a sign that the plant is unhappy with its current environment, and it will recover once you adjust the care.

Common Mallow: yellow leaves, causes and fixes

Check these first

Stick your finger into the soil to check for dampness.
Observe how many hours of direct sun the plant gets.
Check if the yellow leaves are at the bottom or the top.

Likely causes

Overwatering
Most likely
How to tell: The leaves turn yellow and feel soft or mushy. The soil stays wet for a long time after watering.
What to do: Let the top few centimeters of soil dry out completely before watering again. Ensure your soil drains well and never let the plant sit in standing water.
Insufficient Sunlight
Possible
How to tell: The leaves turn a pale yellow, starting from the bottom of the plant. The stems may also look thin or stretched.
What to do: Move your mallow to a spot that receives full, direct sun. It needs plenty of light to maintain its green color and healthy growth.

Yellow leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your common mallow

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.

When to worry

If the yellowing spreads rapidly across the whole plant, you need to act fast. It is perfectly normal for the oldest, lowest leaves to yellow and drop as the plant grows.

Stopping it coming back

Stick to a consistent watering schedule of every 7 to 14 days, and always check the soil moisture before adding more water.

Common Mallow: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your common mallow 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.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Should I cut off the yellow leaves?: Yes, you can snip them off. They will not turn green again and removing them helps the plant focus energy on new growth.
Is my plant dying if it has yellow leaves?: Not necessarily. It is often just a sign that the plant is unhappy with its current environment, and it will recover once you adjust the care.

Why are my Common Mallow leaves turning yellow?