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Hedge mustard · Sisymbrium officinale

Why is my hedge mustard dropping leaves?

It is less common for hedge mustard to drop leaves, as this plant usually sheds foliage due to severe drought or extreme heat stress. Check the soil moisture levels first to see if your plant is drying out too quickly.

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Check these first

  1. Check if the top inch of soil is bone dry.
  2. Feel the leaves to see if they are brittle or soft.
  3. Observe if the leaf drop is happening on the lower or upper stems.

Likely causes

  1. Drought stress

    Possible

    How to tell: The leaves feel crispy and brittle before they fall off the stem.

    What to do: Water your plant thoroughly until water drains from the bottom. Increase your watering frequency to every 3 to 5 days during hot spells.

  2. Heat stress

    Possible

    How to tell: The plant wilts during the hottest part of the day and leaves drop from the lower stems.

    What to do: Move the container to a spot that gets afternoon shade if temperatures exceed 90 degrees. Ensure the soil stays consistently moist to help the plant cope with the heat.

Leaf drop in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your hedge mustard

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

If the plant is losing more than half its leaves in a week, it is likely struggling to survive. It is normal for the very bottom leaves to yellow and drop as the plant matures.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the soil consistently moist and provide a layer of mulch to retain water during the peak of summer.

Hedge mustard: leaf drop? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your hedge mustard 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

Will the leaves grow back?
Once a leaf falls off, it will not grow back in that same spot. However, the plant will continue to produce new growth from the top if it is healthy.
Does this plant flower?
Yes, hedge mustard produces small yellow flowers in the spring and summer. It needs full sun and consistent moisture to bloom well.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Hedge mustard

Back to the Hedge mustard 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.