Pocket Botanist
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Check these first
- Check the soil moisture with your finger.
- Look for signs of pests on the underside of the leaves.
- Assess if the plant has received recent fertilizer.
Likely causes
Nitrogen deficiency
Most likelyHow to tell: The older, bottom leaves turn pale yellow while the rest of the plant looks stunted.
What to do: Apply a balanced nitrogen rich fertilizer according to the package instructions. Ensure you water the soil well after application to help the nutrients reach the roots.
Overwatering
PossibleHow to tell: The soil feels soggy and the yellowing starts near the base of the plant.
What to do: Let the top inch of soil dry out before watering again. Ensure your container or garden bed has excellent drainage to prevent water from pooling.
Find out what's wrong with your maize
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
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
It is normal for the very lowest, oldest leaves to yellow and die as the plant matures. Worry if the yellowing spreads rapidly to the upper leaves.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain a consistent watering schedule and feed your maize with a nitrogen rich fertilizer every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season.
Maize: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your maize 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 I save a yellow leaf?
- Once a leaf has turned completely yellow, it will not turn green again. You can trim it off to help the plant focus energy on healthy growth.
- Does too much sun cause yellowing?
- Maize loves full sun, so it is rarely the cause of yellowing. If the leaves look bleached or white, that might be sunscald.
More problems with Maize
- Why is my maize plant drooping?
- Why is my corn not producing ears?
- What is eating my corn?
- Why is my corn growing so tall and thin?
- Why are the tips of my maize leaves turning brown?
- Why are there spots on my corn leaves?
- Why is my corn plant wilting and showing root rot?
- Why are my corn leaves curling up?
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.