Why are my camellia leaves turning yellow?
Camellia leaves turning yellow? Look at the veins first.
If young leaves are yellow and the veins stay dark green, the soil or water is too alkaline and the camellia cannot take up iron. Camellias want pH 5.0 to 6.5. In the ground, sulphur brings the pH down. In a pot, the fix is ericaceous compost and rainwater.
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- Yellow between green veins: the pH is too high. Most common in hard-water areas.
- A few old leaves yellowing in spring: normal, as new growth takes over.
- Yellow and wilting in a pot: check the drainage before anything else.
Which yellow is it?
| What you see | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Newest leaves yellow, veins stay green | pH too high, often from hard tap water | In the ground: sulphur at up to 25 g/m², spring and late autumn. In a pot: ericaceous compost |
| A few old leaves yellow and drop in spring | Normal, as new growth takes over | Nothing |
| Pale all over, in a pot | Hungry or pot-bound | Repot one size up; ericaceous feed after flowering |
| Yellow and wilting, compost soggy | Waterlogging | Clear the drainage holes; raise the pot on feet |
| Brown-yellow patches on top leaves | Sun or frost scorch | Shelter from early sun after frost and from hot afternoon sun |
Camellias want pH 5.0 to 6.5 (RHS). Rates as on our product page: University of Georgia and Cornell (established plants); Ohio State, Purdue and University of California (beds); RHS (pots). Never more than 73 g/m² in one dose on beds, or 112 g/m² a year on planted ground.
Work out your exact amount. Enter your area, your test reading and your soil type, and the calculator gives the dose, the timing and the bags to buy.
Fixing high pH
- Test first. A cheap kit is enough. Soil that fizzes with vinegar holds free lime: grow your camellia in a large pot of ericaceous compost instead.
- In the ground, sulphur. Up to 25 g/m² over the root area, worked in lightly and watered, early spring and late autumn. Retest after three to six months.
- In a pot, no sulphur. Repot in spring into ericaceous compost, one size up, and keep the pot raised on feet.
- Rainwater, always. Hard tap water is the commonest reason a potted camellia yellows after a few years.
Common questions
Why are the leaves on my potted camellia turning yellow?
Usually the compost. Multipurpose compost, or years of hard tap water, raises the pH. Repot into ericaceous compost in spring and water with rainwater. Sulphur is not for pots.
Will yellow camellia leaves turn green again?
Mildly yellow leaves can regreen once iron is available. Badly yellowed ones usually drop, and new growth comes through green.
When should I put sulphur on a camellia?
Early spring and late autumn, up to 25 g/m² a dose over the root area. The soil bacteria that turn it into acid need warmth, so it works through spring and summer.
Do coffee grounds help a yellow camellia?
Not much. Used grounds are close to neutral and will not shift the pH enough to fix chlorosis.
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Fix the soil, and the green comes back
Sulphur-bentonite pastilles that spread without dust and break apart when wet. Up to 25 g/m² around camellias in the ground, spring and late autumn.
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Free UK delivery over £40. Buy now goes straight to checkout.
Free UK delivery over £40. Dispatched in 1 to 2 working days. Packed and posted from Stockport.