Should I fertilize yellow leaves?

Only fertilize if you have confirmed a nutrient deficiency through a soil test. Adding fertilizer to an overwatered plant will only stress it further.

Is yellowing always a sign of disease?

Not at all. It is most often a response to environmental stress like too much water or a temporary nutrient imbalance.

Multiflora rose: yellow leaves, causes and fixes

Check these first

Feel the soil to see if it is waterlogged.
Check the drainage around the base of the plant.
Look for signs of nutrient deficiency on older leaves.

Likely causes

Overwatering
Most likely
How to tell: The leaves turn yellow starting from the bottom of the plant, and the soil feels constantly soggy. The roots may begin to smell sour or look mushy.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top 3 inches of soil dry out completely. Ensure your planting site has excellent drainage and is not in a low spot where water pools.
Nutrient Deficiency
Possible
How to tell: Leaves may turn yellow while the veins remain green, often indicating a lack of iron or magnesium. This usually happens in soil with an incorrect pH level.
What to do: Test your soil pH to ensure it is in the 6.0 to 6.5 range. Apply a balanced rose fertilizer according to the package instructions to provide essential nutrients.

Find out what's wrong with your multiflora rose

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

Yellowing is normal if it is just a few old leaves at the base of the plant during the fall. Be concerned if the yellowing spreads rapidly across the entire bush.

Stopping it coming back

Water only when the top few inches of soil are dry and choose a planting site with well draining soil.

Keep your multiflora rose healthy from here

Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.

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

Questions people ask

Should I fertilize yellow leaves?: Only fertilize if you have confirmed a nutrient deficiency through a soil test. Adding fertilizer to an overwatered plant will only stress it further.
Is yellowing always a sign of disease?: Not at all. It is most often a response to environmental stress like too much water or a temporary nutrient imbalance.

Why are my Multiflora rose leaves turning yellow?