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Salvia

Why are my sage leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing leaves on sage usually 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 dirt.

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

Check these first

  1. Feel the top 5 centimeters of the soil.
  2. Check the bottom of the pot for standing water.
  3. Inspect the leaves for signs of pests.

Likely causes

  1. Overwatering

    Most likely

    How to tell: The leaves look limp and yellow, and the soil feels constantly wet to the touch.

    What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top 5 centimeters of soil dry out. Ensure your pot has drainage holes so extra water can escape.

  2. Nutrient deficiency

    Possible

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

    What to do: Apply a balanced, water soluble fertilizer at half strength once in the spring. Do not overfeed, as sage prefers lean soil.

Yellow leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your salvia

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 drop as the plant ages. Worry if the yellowing spreads rapidly to the top of the plant.

Stopping it coming back

Only water when the top few centimeters of soil are dry and always use well draining soil.

Salvia: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your salvia 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.
Can yellow leaves turn green again?
No, once a leaf has turned yellow, it will not recover. Focus on keeping the new growth healthy.

More problems with Salvia

Back to the Salvia 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.