Should I cut off the yellow leaves?

Yes, you can snip them off with clean scissors to keep the plant looking tidy. This also helps you monitor if the yellowing continues to spread.

Can too much sun cause yellow leaves?

Yes, intense direct sun can bleach the leaves and cause them to turn yellow or pale. Move your plant to a spot with bright, indirect light.

Creeping speedwell: yellow leaves, causes and fixes

Check these first

Touch the soil to feel for sogginess.
Check the drainage holes for blockages.
Inspect the base of the stems for rot.

Likely causes

Overwatering
Most likely
How to tell: The leaves feel soft and mushy, and the soil stays wet for days.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top inch of soil dry out. Ensure your pot has drainage holes so excess water can escape.
Nutrient deficiency
Possible
How to tell: Older leaves turn yellow while the veins remain green.
What to do: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength once a month during the growing season. Do not overfeed, as this can burn the roots.

Yellow leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your creeping speedwell

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

Worry if the yellowing spreads rapidly across the whole plant. A few yellow leaves at the very bottom are normal as the plant ages.

Stopping it coming back

Maintain a consistent watering schedule and ensure the soil drains well between waterings.

Creeping speedwell: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your creeping speedwell 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 with clean scissors to keep the plant looking tidy. This also helps you monitor if the yellowing continues to spread.
Can too much sun cause yellow leaves?: Yes, intense direct sun can bleach the leaves and cause them to turn yellow or pale. Move your plant to a spot with bright, indirect light.

Why are my creeping speedwell leaves turning yellow?