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perennial sowthistle · Sonchus arvensis

Why are my perennial sowthistle leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing leaves on a perennial sowthistle are less common and usually point to an issue with light or water. Check the soil moisture first to see if you are overwatering.

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.
  2. Check the light levels in your plant's current spot.
  3. Inspect the undersides of leaves for tiny insects.

Likely causes

  1. Overwatering

    Most likely

    How to tell: The lower leaves turn yellow and feel soft or mushy to the touch. The soil stays wet for more than 14 days.

    What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top 3 inches of soil dry out completely. Ensure your pot has drainage holes so excess water can escape.

  2. Insufficient Light

    Possible

    How to tell: The plant looks pale and yellow, especially on the leaves furthest from the light source. Growth becomes thin and stretched.

    What to do: Move your plant to a spot that gets at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun daily. If indoors, place it right in a south facing window.

Yellow leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your perennial sowthistle

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 oldest leaves at the base to yellow and drop as the plant grows. Worry if the yellowing spreads rapidly to new growth.

Stopping it coming back

Only water when the top few inches of soil are dry to the touch. Keep the plant in a bright, sunny location.

Perennial sowthistle: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your perennial sowthistle 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. This keeps the plant looking tidy and helps it focus energy on healthy growth.
Can yellow leaves turn green again?
No, once a leaf has turned yellow, it will not return to green. It is best to remove it.

More problems with perennial sowthistle

Back to the perennial sowthistle 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.