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Tomato · Solanum lycopersicum

Why are my tomato plant's leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing leaves on tomatoes usually signal a nutrient deficiency or a watering imbalance. Check your soil moisture first to see if you are overwatering or underwatering.

Not sure it's this? Check a photo of your plant for free

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

Check these first

  1. Feel the soil to see if it is soggy or bone dry.
  2. Inspect the undersides of leaves for tiny insects.
  3. Check if the yellowing is starting on the bottom leaves or the top.

Likely causes

  1. Nitrogen Deficiency

    Most likely

    How to tell: Older, lower leaves turn an even pale yellow, including the veins. The plant growth will also slow down significantly.

    What to do: Apply a balanced vegetable fertilizer or a nitrogen rich organic amendment like blood meal. Follow the package instructions to apply it around the base of the plant every 2 to 4 weeks.

  2. Overwatering

    Most likely

    How to tell: Leaves turn yellow and may feel soft or limp. The soil stays soggy for days after watering.

    What to do: Allow the top 1 to 2 inches of soil to dry out before watering again. Ensure your pots have drainage holes or that your garden bed has good soil structure.

Yellow leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your tomato

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 as the plant grows taller. Worry if the yellowing spreads rapidly to the middle and top of the plant.

Stopping it coming back

Maintain consistent soil moisture and feed your plants with a steady supply of nutrients throughout the growing season.

Tomato: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your tomato 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, it is best to snip off yellow leaves with clean shears. This helps the plant focus its energy on healthy growth and improves air circulation.
Can yellow leaves turn green again?
Usually no. Once a leaf has turned fully yellow, it will not recover, so it is better to remove it.

More problems with Tomato

Back to the Tomato 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.