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Greater Plantain · Plantago major

Why are my Broadleaf Plantain leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing leaves on a plantain often point to issues with how much water the plant is receiving. Start by checking the moisture level of your soil.

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

Check these first

  1. Check the soil moisture with your finger.
  2. Look for white, dusty patches on the leaves.
  3. Ensure the plant is getting at least 6 hours of direct sun.

Likely causes

  1. Overwatering

    Most likely

    How to tell: The leaves turn yellow and feel soft or limp. The soil remains wet for days after watering.

    What to do: Stop watering until the top inch of soil is dry. Ensure the plant is in a spot with plenty of direct sun to help the soil dry out.

  2. Powdery mildew

    Possible

    How to tell: A white, powdery coating appears on the leaves, which may eventually cause them to yellow and drop.

    What to do: Increase airflow around the plant to reduce humidity. You can wipe the leaves with a damp cloth to remove the mildew.

Yellow leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your greater plantain

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

It is normal for the oldest, lowest leaves to yellow and die as the plant grows. Worry if the yellowing is happening on many leaves at once.

Stopping it coming back

Only water when the top inch of soil is dry and provide plenty of sunlight.

Greater Plantain: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your greater plantain 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

Is my plant getting too much sun?
Broadleaf Plantain loves full sun, so it is very unlikely to be getting too much. It is more likely to suffer from too little light.
Should I fertilize yellow leaves?
No, do not fertilize a stressed plant. Fix the watering or light issue first before considering any plant food.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Greater Plantain

Back to the Greater Plantain 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.