Pocket Botanist
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Check these first
- Feel the soil an inch deep to check for excess moisture.
- Inspect the base of the plant for signs of standing water.
- Check the leaf undersides for any signs of pests.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The lower leaves turn yellow and feel soft or mushy to the touch. The soil stays damp for more than a few days after watering.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top 2 inches of soil dry out completely. Ensure your planting site has excellent drainage, as catmint hates sitting in soggy earth.
Nutrient deficiency
PossibleHow to tell: The leaves turn a pale yellow while the veins remain green. This often happens if the plant has been in the same spot for several years without any compost.
What to do: Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer in early spring. You can also top dress the soil around the base with an inch of organic compost.
Find out what's wrong with your raceme catmint
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
It is normal for a few older leaves at the base to yellow as the plant ages. Be concerned if the yellowing spreads rapidly across the entire plant.
Stopping it coming back
Plant your catmint in well draining soil and avoid overwatering during humid summer months.
Raceme catmint: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your raceme catmint 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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
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 with clean shears to keep the plant looking tidy. This also helps improve airflow around the base.
- Does yellowing mean I have a disease?
- Usually, yellowing is a cultural issue rather than a disease. If you see white fuzzy patches, that would be powdery mildew instead.
More problems with Raceme catmint
Back to the Raceme catmint 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.