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Pittosporum

Why are my Pittosporum leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing leaves on a Pittosporum often signal that the plant is getting too much water or not enough drainage. Check the soil moisture first to see if the roots are sitting in soggy conditions.

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

Check these first

  1. Check the soil moisture by sticking your finger 2 inches deep.
  2. Inspect the drainage holes to ensure they are not blocked.
  3. Look for signs of pests on the undersides of the yellow leaves.

Likely causes

  1. Overwatering

    Most likely

    How to tell: The leaves turn yellow starting from the bottom of the plant and may feel soft or mushy.

    What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top 2 inches of soil dry out completely. Ensure your pot has drainage holes and never let the plant sit in a saucer of standing water.

  2. Nutrient deficiency

    Possible

    How to tell: Older leaves turn pale yellow while the veins remain green, often indicating a lack of nitrogen or iron.

    What to do: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season. If the soil pH is too high, add a soil acidifier to help the plant absorb nutrients better.

Yellow leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your pittosporum

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

A few yellow leaves on the interior of the plant are normal as it ages. Worry if the yellowing spreads rapidly across the entire canopy.

Stopping it coming back

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

Pittosporum: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo

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

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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.
Can too much sun cause yellow leaves?
Yes, intense direct sun can bleach leaves, making them look yellow or washed out.

More problems with Pittosporum

Back to the Pittosporum 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.