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Clary sage · Salvia sclarea

Why are my Clary sage leaves turning yellow?

It is less common for Clary sage to have yellow leaves, and this usually happens when the plant sits in soggy soil for too long. Check your soil moisture first to see if you are overwatering.

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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 an inch deep.
  2. Inspect the drainage holes to ensure they are not blocked.
  3. Look at the base of the stem for any signs of mushy tissue.

Likely causes

  1. Overwatering

    Most likely

    How to tell: The lower leaves turn yellow and feel soft or mushy to the touch. The soil will remain damp even a week after watering.

    What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top 2 inches of soil dry out completely. Ensure your pot has drainage holes or that your garden soil drains well after rain.

  2. Nutrient deficiency

    Possible

    How to tell: The leaves turn a pale, sickly yellow while the veins remain green. This often happens if the plant has been in the same pot for more than two years.

    What to do: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength once in early spring. If the plant is in a container, consider repotting it into fresh, well draining potting mix.

Yellow leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your clary sage

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 very bottom leaves to yellow and die back as the plant grows taller. Be concerned if the yellowing spreads rapidly to the upper foliage.

Stopping it coming back

Only water when the top inch of soil is dry and always choose a sunny spot with excellent drainage.

Clary sage: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your clary sage 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 scissors to keep the plant looking tidy. This also helps you monitor if the yellowing is continuing to spread.
Does Clary sage need a lot of fertilizer?
No, it prefers leaner soil. A light feeding once in the spring is usually plenty.

More problems with Clary sage

Back to the Clary sage 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.