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Yellow Bells · Tecoma stans

Why is my Tecoma stans dropping leaves?

It is less common for this plant to drop leaves, as it is quite hardy in full sun. This usually happens when the plant experiences a sudden change in its environment or extreme moisture stress.

Check these first

  1. Check the soil moisture level with your finger.
  2. Inspect the plant for recent exposure to cold drafts or freezing temperatures.
  3. Look for signs of pests on the undersides of the remaining leaves.

Likely causes

  1. Sudden Temperature Drop

    Possible

    How to tell: Leaves turn yellow or brown and fall off shortly after a cold snap or frost.

    What to do: Move your plant to a warmer location if it is in a pot. If it is in the ground, cover it with a frost cloth during freezing nights.

  2. Severe Drought

    Possible

    How to tell: The soil is bone dry and the leaves look crispy before they detach.

    What to do: Water the plant deeply until water runs out of the drainage holes. Maintain a consistent schedule of watering every 7 to 14 days when the top few inches of soil feel dry.

Find out what's wrong with your yellow bells

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

Worry if the plant is losing more than half its foliage in a week. It is normal for a few older leaves to drop as the plant grows.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the plant in a consistent, sunny spot and avoid letting the soil dry out completely for long periods.

Keep your yellow bells healthy from here

Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.

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Questions people ask

Will my plant grow back after losing leaves?
Yes, Tecoma stans is a vigorous grower. Once the stressor is removed, it will push out new growth.
Should I fertilize a plant that is dropping leaves?
No, wait until the plant shows signs of recovery. Fertilizing a stressed plant can cause more damage.

More problems with Yellow Bells

Back to the Yellow Bells guide

This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.