Pocket Botanist
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Check these first
- Stick your finger two inches into the soil to check for moisture.
- Check if the soil is draining properly.
- Look for signs of pests that might be stressing the plant.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves turn yellow and feel soft or mushy. The soil stays wet for a long time after watering.
What to do: Let the soil dry out completely before watering again. Ensure your soil has good drainage so water does not pool around the roots.
Underwatering
PossibleHow to tell: The leaves turn yellow and feel dry or crispy. The soil is hard and pulling away from the edges of the pot or ground.
What to do: Water the plant thoroughly until the soil is moist. Stick to a schedule of every 7 to 14 days once the plant is established.
Find out what's wrong with your hairy vetch
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
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When to worry
It is normal for the oldest, lowest leaves to yellow and drop as the plant grows. Worry if the yellowing is spreading rapidly across the entire plant.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain a consistent watering schedule and ensure the soil is well-draining. Avoid letting the plant sit in standing water.
Hairy vetch: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your hairy vetch 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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Can yellow leaves turn green again?
- No, once a leaf has turned fully yellow, it will not turn green again. It is best to let the plant shed it.
- Does hairy vetch need fertilizer?
- Hairy vetch is a legume and fixes its own nitrogen, so it rarely needs extra fertilizer. Poor soil quality is rarely the cause of yellowing.
Guides to these causes
More problems with hairy vetch
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.