Yellow Leaves on Hibiscus Plants
Yellow Leaves on hibiscus plants can be caused by a number of factors. The first thing to check is if the soil is too moist or dry. Tropical hibiscus are plants which need a consistent amount of moisture in the soil. Allowing the soil to dry out will cause the leaves to turn yellow and drop. Watering needs will change during the growing season with temperatures and humidity so try to maintain a consistent pattern of watering. Hibiscus must have good drainage. When soil becomes dry, water will sometime channel through the soil and out of the pot without getting the entire soil ball moist. When this happens allow the soil to “wick up” any excess. Don’t let your plant sit in a tray of water any longer than necessary to get the soil nice and moist.
Yellow leaves can be caused by sudden environmental changes which take place when a hibiscus is moved from one location to another. Too much fertilizer or too little fertilizer will do the same. Temperature changes caused from moving a potted hibiscus from outdoors to indoors can also have an effect on your potted hibiscus.
Yellow leaves can frighten some gardeners, but it does not always spell trouble. Some older leaves will die and fall then
began new growing a new leaf immediately. If you should notice as many as 5 to 7 yellow leaves, begin a search for pests and rid the plant of them. There are a number of infestations to be concerned about such as aphids, whiteflies, and the pink hibiscus mealybug which has been spotted in Florida, Texas and California. We will discuss more about such pest and how to rid your plant of them in a later chapter. If your having trouble determining recurring problems with yellow leaves on hibiscus plants contact us for more information.