Skip to content
Pocket Botanist
Get the app

Geranium · Pelargonium

Why are my geranium's leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing leaves on a geranium often signal that the plant is struggling with its water balance. Check the soil moisture first to see if you are overwatering or underwatering.

Not sure it's this? Check a photo of your plant for free

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

Check these first

  1. Touch the soil to check for dampness.
  2. Inspect the pot for drainage holes.
  3. Look for signs of pests on the undersides of leaves.

Likely causes

  1. Overwatering

    Most likely

    How to tell: The leaves feel soft or mushy and the soil stays wet for days.

    What to do: Let the top inch of soil dry out completely before watering again. Ensure your pot has drainage holes so excess water can escape.

  2. Nutrient deficiency

    Possible

    How to tell: Older leaves turn yellow while the plant looks generally pale.

    What to do: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength every 2 to 4 weeks during the growing season. This helps replenish the soil nutrients.

Yellow leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your geranium

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.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

When to worry

It is normal for the very bottom, oldest leaves to yellow and drop as the plant grows. Worry if the yellowing spreads rapidly to the top of the plant.

Stopping it coming back

Stick to a consistent watering schedule where you only water when the top inch of soil is dry.

Geranium: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your geranium 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.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

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 scissors to keep the plant looking tidy and encourage new growth.
Can too much sun cause yellow leaves?
Usually, too much sun causes scorched or bleached spots rather than yellowing. Geraniums love full sun.

More problems with Geranium

Back to the Geranium 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.