Should I cut off the yellow leaves?

Yes, you can snip them off to keep the plant looking tidy. It will not hurt the shrub.

Not necessarily. Yellow leaves are often just a sign that the plant needs a slight adjustment in its care routine.

White meadowsweet: yellow leaves, causes and fixes

Check these first

Feel the soil to see if it is soggy or bone dry.
Check the base of the plant for signs of standing water.
Look at the leaf veins to see if they are still green.

Likely causes

Overwatering
Most likely
How to tell: The leaves turn yellow and may feel soft or mushy. This happens when the roots sit in water for too long.
What to do: Check the soil 2 inches down and let it dry out slightly before watering again. Ensure your planting site has good drainage so water does not pool.
Nutrient deficiency
Possible
How to tell: The leaves turn a pale yellow while the veins stay green. This often happens if the soil pH is too high.
What to do: Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer in early spring. If the soil pH is the issue, adding organic compost can help balance the nutrients.

Yellow leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your white meadowsweet

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.

When to worry

It is normal for a few older leaves near the base to yellow and drop in late summer. Worry if the yellowing is widespread across the whole shrub.

Stopping it coming back

Maintain a consistent watering schedule every 5 to 10 days and use mulch to keep the soil moisture steady.

White meadowsweet: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your white meadowsweet 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.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Should I cut off the yellow leaves?: Yes, you can snip them off to keep the plant looking tidy. It will not hurt the shrub.
Is my plant dying?: Not necessarily. Yellow leaves are often just a sign that the plant needs a slight adjustment in its care routine.

Why are my Spiraea alba leaves turning yellow?

Check these first

Not sure what's wrong with your white meadowsweet?

Likely causes

Overwatering

Nutrient deficiency

Find out what's wrong with your white meadowsweet

When to worry

Stopping it coming back

White meadowsweet: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo

Questions people ask

More problems with white meadowsweet