When under stress from a drought, over watering, nitrogen shortage, or an excess of phosphorus in the soil, hibiscus leaves become yellow. Tropical hibiscus cultivars respond to a sudden drop in temperature by turning its leaves yellow. Find out why your hibiscus’ leaves have turned yellow and how to resuscitate it by reading on. Drought Stress Causes Hibiscus Leaves to Turn YellowYour hibiscus may develop yellow leaves in response to drought stress from dry soil or stress from too much liquid around the roots. However, if the reason for your hibiscus’ yellow leaves is dry stress rather than overwatering, you may tell the difference if the leaves are visibly withered and curling downward as this is an adaptation to stop water loss. Conversely, yellow hibiscus leaves brought on by over watering tend to droop and look withered. Underwatering is not the only reason for drought stress; other factors include:
Revive Yellow Hibiscus Leaves due to Drought StressThe first thing you should do if your hibiscus is suffering from drought stress is…
The hibiscus should recover from drought stress with regular watering, protection from winds, and mulch applications. The yellow foliage should start to become a healthier green color during the course of the following week, and the leaves should appear less withered or curled. One of the main reasons hibiscus don’t flower is drought stress, but there are other factors as well, which is why I prepared another article with solutions. Yellow and Drooping Hibiscus Leaves due to Over WateringHibiscus leaves can become yellow from both overwatering and underwatering, notably from too much water around the roots, which emphasizes the significance of maintaining the proper moisture balance when cultivating hibiscus. Because of too much water near the roots, hibiscus plants may develop yellow leaves.
I advise moving your hibiscus to an area that has been amended with lots of compost to improve soil structure if it was originally planted in particularly slow-draining soil or in a soggy, low-lying area of the garden. Alternatively, you can grow your hibiscus in pots, containers, or raised beds, which have better drainage conditions. It should be emphasized that it is far simpler to prepare a potting mixture that is properly drained for hibiscus than it is to repair naturally swampy garden soil. When hibiscus are grown in pots, slow-draining soil conditions can cause the hibiscus to turn yellow if the pots do not have drainage holes in the base. Potted Hibiscus Leaves Turning YellowThe same causes that cause hibiscus leaves to become yellow can also cause hibiscus leaves in pots, although there are a few issues specific to pots that might result in yellowing leaves:
How to Revive Potted Hibiscus with Yellow Leaves
(To learn how to revive a dying hibiscus, read my post if your potted hibiscus is in trouble.) Nutrient Deficient soil Can Causes Hibiscus Leaves to Turn YellowDue to their rather intense feeding habits, hibiscus frequently exhibit signs of stress brought on by nutrient deficiencies, the most obvious of which are yellow leaves and a lack of blossoms. Sandy or stony soils have a tendency to hold onto less nutrients, and soil that hasn’t received any organic matter as a mulch can also be less fertile. Hibiscus flourish on soil that has had organic matter added to it (such as compost, leaf mold, and well-rotted manure), as this creates the optimal circumstances for nutrients, soil structure, and moisture retention. Observe these steps if your hibiscus is not growing well, has yellow leaves, and doesn’t have any flowers:
When fertilizing hibiscus, it’s crucial to get the nutrients just right because too much fertilizer can promote the growth of foliage at the expense of flowers and too much phosphorous can also cause the leaves to turn yellow. This highlights the significance of an evenly balanced fertilizer with equal parts Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium (NPK). Use granular fertilizer from any trustworthy brand, such miracle-gro, which is readily sold at garden supply stores and on Amazon. (Read my article on how to enhance hibiscus blooms for more suggestions on how to encourage blossoming.) Build up of Phosphorous in Soil Turns Hibiscus Leaves YellowHibiscus are rather unique in that they are quite sensitive to high phosphorus soil conditions. Phosphorus can inhibit hibiscus roots from absorbing other nutrients, resulting in a nutrient deficiency that cannot be remedied by adding more fertilizer. The plant may die back as a result of this, the leaves may turn yellow, and the hibiscus may not flower in the summer. Phosphorus buildup in soil is typically the result of overzealous fertilizer application, especially any fertilizer that contains an excessive quantity of phosphorus and is sometimes marketed as a “bloom booster.” If you think phosphorus is the reason your hibiscus’ leaves are going yellow, reduce the amount of fertilizer you apply, and make sure you water it frequently. Sending a sample of your soil off for testing is essential to determining for sure whether phosphorus is the issue, and respectable garden retailers and nurseries offer this service. Although the hibiscus may recover, it is challenging to resuscitate the plant if there is a considerable buildup of phosphorus. Soil pH Prevents Uptake of Nutrients Causing Yellow LeavesIn soils with a pH of 6-7, which is somewhat acidic, hibiscus thrive. Planting hibiscus in soil that is either too acidic or too alkaline stops the plant from absorbing nutrients from the soil, which causes the leaves to turn yellow with green veins (chlorosis). Fortunately, most garden soil has a pH in the range of 6-7 because, after fully decomposed, most organic matter has a pH that is somewhat acidic around this range. But there are environmental factors, such the underlying rock, that can cause soil to be excessively acidic or alkaline. I advise getting a soil gauge from Amazon or a garden center to determine the pH of your soil if several plants also show yellowing with green veins. Hibiscus should be grown in pots, containers, or raised beds rather than in garden soil if your soil is far outside of the pH 6-7 range because adjusting the pH of the soil is a difficult process. If at all possible, move your hibiscus to a pot with multifunctional compost, which will offer the proper pH level for it. Hibiscus cannot survive in excessively acidic or alkaline soils without being moved to a more suitable soil for it to grow in. Lack of Light Can Cause Yellow Hibiscus LeavesIn full sun, hibiscus, which are indigenous to tropical Asia, flourish and produce their best flowers. As this is in opposition to the circumstances they like in their native region, too much shade can result in yellowing of the hibiscus leaves as well as poor overall development and fewer blooms. Put your hibiscus in your garden’s most sunny area. For established hibiscuses, remove any foliage that might be blocking light from reaching the plant or any tree limbs. To prevent yellow leaves, move potted hibsicus to a sunny patio and place any interior hibsicus in the sunniest window of your home. The hibiscus should become green again with sufficient sunlight. Cold Weather Causes Tropical Hibiscus Leaves to Turn YellowThere are two hibiscus species that gardeners frequently grow.
As you can guess, the hardy species can withstand low temperatures and can survive in a far wider range of conditions than the tropical species. If the temperature falls sharply from its normal range, the tropical hibiscus leaves may turn yellow. Tropical hibiscus are hardy in USDA zones 9 to 11, although they cannot endure frost. In order to prevent yellow leaves, it is crucial to grow a hibiscus species that is appropriate for your climate. After a severe cold shock, tropical hibiscus can also lose their yellow leaves, but they can recover if the weather is mild. The tropical hibiscus species struggle to survive outside of tropical regions. Hardy hibiscus varieties can withstand frost but need to be grown in full sun and, in contrast to tropical varieties, flower for a longer period of time. Insect Pests can Cause Hibiscus Leaves to Turn YellowYour hibiscus is more susceptible to insect infestation if it is stressed out owing to poor lighting, unfavorable soil conditions, etc. Although there are several insects that might harm hibiscus, the spider mite is the most likely culprit for turning the leaves yellow. Your hibiscus will develop tiny yellow spots the size of pins from spider mites, which could result in the leaves falling off and fewer flowers blooming. However, infestations with spider mites are usually treatable and rarely fatal. Because spider mites thrive in low-humidity situations, misting the leaves of your hibiscus plant can be an effective deterrent. Use of an insecticide spray made from neem oil is an efficient remedy for more severe infestations and is non-toxic to other wildlife. To solve the spider mite issue, two or three treatments might be necessary. The hibiscus should recover even though the afflicted yellow leaves frequently fall off. Sprays with insecticides are sold on Amazon and in garden centers. Key Takeaways:
Via https://thegardenhows.com/hibiscus-leaves-turning-yellow-how-to-revive-it/
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