21 Causes + Fixes For The Hibiscus Leaves Turning Yellow

Hibiscus Leaves Turning Yellow

Hibiscus leaves turning yellow is a common occurrence, but it isn’t about being worried. If the leaves of your Hibiscus turn yellow, it’s a signal that it needs something. You’ll read about the causes of yellow hibiscus plant leaves and how to care for your hibiscus plant here.

How Do I Know If Hibiscus Leaves Turning Yellow Is Normal?

Stress causes hibiscus leaves to turn yellow and fall off the vine. The stress could be of any form and the farmer’s major obstacle is finding out which form of stress is. After a few days of observation, if the leaves do not return to their original green color, the yellow hibiscus discoloration on the leaves is not natural.

Top 19 Causes Of The Hibiscus Leaves Turning Yellow

Below are the top 19 potential causes for turning and discoloration of Hibiscus Leaves. Let us find out all in details.

Yellow Discoloration Of Hibiscus Leaves

1. Overnutrition

Because of the disruption, it gives the plant, overfertilizing is another common cause of hibiscus leaf yellowing. Instead of feeding plants heavily, fertilize them moderately and on a daily basis.

Some reports suggested supplementing the hibiscus with a very mild vinegar solution to lower the pH will make the water and soil alkaline, hibiscus plants thrive well in an alkaline environment.

2. Undernutrition

Due to nutrient deficiency evident in nutrient-poor soil, hibiscus leaf yellowing can also be caused by extremely poor soil. Chlorosis, or yellowing of the leaves with green veins, is an indication of nutrient ( particularly minerals ) deficiency.

3. Location

If your hibiscus has yellow leaves, has stopped blooming, or appears wilted after being moved, it may be stressed. This is a normal occurrence when a plant’s environment is changed.

The hibiscus plant leaves can become mottled with spots on the underneath in relation to yellowing. This can result from attacks by pests like spider mites. If the stressed plant is not handled, it will gradually lose all of its leaves which is a good sign of hibiscus dying.

Spray the flower with soapy water or an effective pesticide if you suspect these pests. Take care not to overuse chemicals, as this can also lead to the yellowing of hibiscus leaves.

5. Dormancy

Spring, summer, and fall are the growing seasons for Hibiscus. At the end of the autumn season, the leaves will start turning yellow and then fall. This indicates that your plant is about to go dormant, and you should reduce how you water it and allow it to rest.

6. Not Enough Water

Hibiscus flower leaves need to be watered well in hot weather, even each day or sometimes than once in a day if it’s hot or windy. Using a Self-watering container is an efficient way of stopping this kind of anxiety. Another option for gardens with a large number of plants is to use a timed watering system.

7. Too Much Water

Yes, hibiscus plants could be overwatered in cool weather conditions. Hibiscus love being moist but not to the extent of being drenched and if the plants are watered too much when they do not need watering due to cold or dark conditions it will lead to too much stress for the root system leading to root rot and consequently yellow hibiscus tree.

This is can also be likened to the water problem, but please remember that during extremely hot summer days, to keep its large leaves healthy and hydrated the hibiscus requires a lot of water. If they are not watered enough they start to drop their leaves to reduce the amount of water they need to stay healthy.

Hibiscus are tropical plants that grow in the same temperature range as we humans, ranging from 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit ( 18 to 29 degrees Celsius). They will live, just like us, but they will not enjoy temperatures below zero and up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. They will produce yellow hibiscus leaves if they become too cold or are put in a cold drafty window.

10. Too Much Direct Sunlight

Hibiscus flowering trees enjoy the sunshine, but only in moderate quantities, much as most people do. Too much heat stresses hibiscus that isn’t used to it, resulting in yellow leaves or large white spots on the leaves.

On us, the white spots resemble sunburn. They will not destroy the plant, but they will make it shed its leaves. The hibiscus tree care for this situation is to provide your plant with enough shade

11. Too Little Sunlight

Plants like hibiscus rely on light for their survival. If they don’t have enough to support all of the big, lush leaves, they’ll drop some of their leaves (the ones that turn yellow first) so they don’t have to support as many.

However, this implies that there is not enough green chlorophyll available to support the rest of the plant’s needs, and the plant may begin to deteriorate by turning yellow until only a few green leaves remain.

12. Excess wind

Since hibiscus is native to tropical environments and prefers humidity to extreme wind, which saps water from the leaves and causes them to turn yellow and shrivel, hibiscus plants planted in overly windy areas are more vulnerable to drought stress.

13. Pesticide Use

Excessive usage of pesticides, use of the incorrect pesticide, use of a pesticide that is too powerful, or spraying in the hot sun of the midday can all cause various hibiscus leaf problems. This could be the issue if you just applied pesticide, but if you used the same kind at the same intensity and applied it in the morning or evening, it’s most likely the hibiscus yellow leaf cause is one of the other stress issues mentioned above.

Other causes of hibiscus leaf yellowing include soil compaction, inadequate drainage, all of which lead to water issues. Check the pH of the soil and keep it mildly acidic. Take the crop out from the container and lightly inspect the soil around it to see if the roots are compact and circling. If you need to re-pot your hibiscus plant, make use of a light potting mix that will drain adequately.

15. Transplant shock

Hibiscus may become acclimated to a very specific environment (in terms of sunlight, temperature, and air circulation), and if you transfer the pot from one location to another or move the pot indoors, the hibiscus leaves can turn yellow due to stress.

16. Phosphorus in Soil

Hibiscus are unique in that they are extremely susceptible to high phosphorus levels in the soil. As phosphorus piles up in the soil, it prevents the hibiscus roots from taking up other nutrients, resulting in a nutrient deficit that cannot be remedied by adding more fertilizer.

This can make the leaves yellow, hinder the hibiscus from blooming in the summer, and eventually kill the plant.

17. Adverse Soil pH Preventing Uptake of Nutrients leading Yellow Leaves

Hibiscus thrives in mildly acidic soils with a pH of six and seven. When hibiscus is planted in soil that is too acidic or alkaline, the leaves turn yellow with green veins, preventing the absorption of nutrients from the soil (chlorosis). The best hibiscus flower care is to create moderately acidic soil for plants to grow in.

18. Fungal infection

It’s most likely a fungal infection if the yellow spots on your hibiscus plant leaves don’t go away. You might have to use a fungicide in case the black spots seem to be more severe, with several of the leaves having yellow spots. On the other hand, insecticides and fungicides should only be used as a last resort, particularly if the plant is already stressed.

19. Dieback Disease

Another cause of brown spots on hibiscus leaves or their wilting and dropping off may be a dieback disease. It normally appears in the early autumn, when other pests are scarce and infrequent. It normally appears that the tips of your leaves are darkening and developing holes. at times it appears to be wilt, but it isn’t always wilting.

Also view, how to fix yellow pothos leaves quickly below.

[6 Ways] to save and care for a hibiscus with yellow leaves

Hibiscus Leaves Turning Yellow

Here are some suggestions for getting your plant back in shape once you’ve figured out what’s causing the issue.

1. Correct the Problem:

The first step in the care of the hibiscus plant is to improve the factors that are causing the issue. To ensure your hibiscus plant’s growing conditions as consistent as possible, water it, repot it, transfer it, or shield it.

2. Proper watering

You’re either over watering or not watering enough. Tropical hibiscus requires a lot of water but dislikes wet soil. During the heatwave period, water them every day, but make sure the soil doesn’t stick to your fingers. Spray them with little water whenever the temperature is very hot.

3. Apply coffee grounds

Plants, like humans, like coffee, as it contains some essential nutrients needed for their well-being. If your hibiscus plant’s leaves are yellowing or falling off, mix a teaspoon of coffee powder in a cup of water and pour it over it, this will help in a great way when you are caring for hibiscus plants.

4. Check for pest

Ants and insects are naturally attracted to flowering plants, so keep an eye out for them. Spray water combined with a teaspoon of liquid soap on any seen ant. Insects may also be repelled by sprinkling a neem-leaf solution with water.

5. Shelter the hibiscus from excess winds which sap the leaves of moisture

Since hibiscus is native to the tropics, high winds decrease humidity in the air, which is incompatible with their preferred growing conditions. Consider planting some wind-blocking shrubs or moving your potted hibiscus to a location that is still sunny but protected by a garden fence.

Your hibiscus plant should start sprouting new leaves once you’ve fixed the issue using the appropriate hibiscus care, you might need to prune bare branches to minimize water and nutrient needs while your plant heals.

Also see the complete, hibiscus care guide and fixes here.