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Feverfew · Tanacetum parthenium

Why are my Feverfew's leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing leaves are less common for Feverfew and usually point to issues with soil moisture or drainage. Check the soil moisture level first to see if you are overwatering.

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

Check these first

  1. Feel the top inch of soil to see if it is soggy.
  2. Check the drainage holes to ensure they are not blocked.
  3. Look for signs of pests like aphids on the undersides of the leaves.

Likely causes

  1. Overwatering

    Most likely

    How to tell: The lower leaves turn yellow and feel soft or mushy. The soil stays wet for more than a week after watering.

    What to do: Let the top inch of soil dry out completely before watering again. Ensure your pot has drainage holes so excess water can escape.

  2. Nutrient Deficiency

    Possible

    How to tell: The older leaves turn pale yellow while the veins remain green. This often happens if the plant has been in the same pot for a long time.

    What to do: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength once every 4 weeks during the growing season. If the plant is root bound, repot it into a slightly larger container with fresh potting mix.

Yellow leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your feverfew

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

A single yellow leaf at the very base of the plant is usually just an old leaf dying off. If many leaves turn yellow at once, you need to adjust your watering routine.

Stopping it coming back

Stick to a consistent watering schedule and avoid letting the plant sit in standing water.

Feverfew: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your feverfew 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

Can yellow leaves turn green again?
No, once a leaf has turned yellow, it will not return to green. It is best to snip it off so the plant can focus energy on healthy growth.
Is yellowing a sign of a disease?
Sometimes, but usually it is cultural. If you see a white dusty coating along with the yellowing, that is powdery mildew, which requires a fungicide.

More problems with Feverfew

Back to the Feverfew 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.