Hibiscus Leaves Turning Yellow? Here’s How to Fix It
Hibiscus is a gorgeous flowering plant in the mallow family, Malvaceae. It comprises over 100+ species, with flowers displaying a stunning array of bright colors like white, red, yellow, pink, and so many more. It’s not the easiest houseplant to grow but if you provide it with the right conditions, this beautiful tropical plant will reward you with vibrant blooms, often lasting a few days.
Like many other indoor indoor plants, Hibiscus isn't immune to leaf-related issues, If neglected, its gentle leaves can fall prey to various problems, including yellowing, browning, curling, holes, and more.
In this guide, we’ll understand why Hibiscus leaves turn yellow and fix the issue with some easy solutions. You’ll also learn how to troubleshoot other common problems with these tropical beauties’ foliage.
About Hibiscus
Hibiscus, known by its Latin name Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, is a beautiful blooming plant native to warm temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions worldwide. You can recognize these plants by their large, vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers, which, although stunning, only last about 1 to 3 days, depending on the variety. Hibiscus plants can grow up to 6-8 feet tall, making them relatively large plants and a striking addition to any garden or indoor space. Furthermore, pet owners should know that Hibiscus is generally pet-friendly. However, keep your furry friends from ingesting large amounts of the plant.
Hibiscus thrives in full sunlight, requires regular watering, and prefers well-draining soil. It needs more frequent fertilizing during the growing season to encourage blooming. With moderate care, these plants can flourish year-round indoors and in the warm seasons if kept outdoors. You need to bring them inside when the cold weather sets in.
Your Hibiscus plant will feel happy in any well-lit space at your home, provided you don’t forget to give it some of your time and regular attention. This gorgeous plant doesn’t tolerate occasional neglect and will indicate with some tell-tale signs that is suffering. Be it yellow leaves on your Hibiscus or pests leaving unsightly holes in its foliage, you’ll soon know that something is wrong with your blooming green companion.
So, what should you do if your Hibiscus leaves start turning yellow? Let’s explore the possible causes and how to restore your plant to health.
Hibiscus Leaves Turning Yellow: Causes and Solutions
Various causes can trigger yellowing leaves on Hibiscus. Luckily, it's straightforward to fix this common problem if you identify the reasons behind it early and in due time.
What Causes Hibiscus Leaves to Turn Yellow
From insufficient light to incorrect watering, here are the eight culprits behind yellow leaves on your Hibiscus:
Light
Flowering shrubs like Hibiscus do well in bright-light conditions. While it appreciates full sun for a good part of the day, partial shade or indirect sunlight in the hot summer afternoons will keep your Hibiscus plant thriving and protected from harmful UV rays. Equally, low light and too much sunlight exposure can result in discoloration of the leaves and yellowing.
Water
Over- or underwatering does no good to your Hibiscus plant. While consistently dry soil will invite drought stress, excessively watered soil will cause root rot. In either case, your Hibiscus leaves turning yellow will be the inevitable result.
Nutrient Deficiency
A deficiency of essential nutrients can also cause your Hibiscus leaves to turn yellow. These plants are heavy feeders and require a balanced 20-20-20 or 10-10-10 fertilizer, containing equal proportions of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Another potential issue is the lack of chelated iron, a key micronutrient needed to avoid chlorosis, which can cause the leaves to start going yellow.
Pests
Unwanted pests, like aphids, whiteflies, mealybugs, and spider mites are notorious for sucking the sap out of the leaves of your beloved Hibiscus and causing them to become yellow.
Frost
Hibiscus needs warm temperatures to thrive and flower buds to develop. It can't tolerate anything below 60°F, or 50°F at the max. Any exposure to the winter frost will not only make the leaves turn yellow but will also make them drop.
Heat Stress
Heat stress isn’t good for your tropical Hibiscus either. Most plant varieties struggle to retain moisture and cool themselves when the summer heat is at its peak, often losing water or poorly absorbing nutrients from the soil. This leads to dehydration, making the leaves go yellow.
Root-boundedness
The roots of a rootbound Hibiscus are so tightly packed inside the pot that they start cutting each other off from absorbing water and nutrients efficiently. The soil needs some air circulation for your plant to feel happy. While the roots deprived of water die first, the entire plant suffers, causing the leaves to turn yellow.
Dormancy
Hibiscus grows during spring, summer, and fall. It stops growing as soon as the winter season sets in, preserving its energy for survival in the colder months. If only some of the bottom leaves turn yellow in the fall, this is a natural sign of your plant entering dormancy.
How Do I Fix Yellow Leaves on My Hibiscus?
Follow these expert tips to fix the yellow leaves of your Hibiscus:
Repot in a bigger pot: If it has been a while since you last repotted your plant, it's time to transplant it to its new home to solve the problem of root-boundedness. This way you’ll provide more room for the roots of your Hibiscus to grow and absorb moisture and nutrients from the soil.
Hibiscus Leaves: Other Common Problems
Your Hibiscus plant’s delicate leaves can suffer from a wide range of problems, apart from yellowing. These include:
- Drooping leaves
- Brown spots on the leaves
- Curling leaves
- Holes on the leaves
Hibiscus Leaves Drooping: How to Solve the Issue?
Drooping Hibiscus leaves can be caused by underwatering, overwatering, or extreme heat. So, how do you fix droopy Hibiscus leaves? First, check the soil moisture levels! If it’s too dry, water your plant thoroughly. If it’s too wet, allow the soil to dry completely before watering again. Keeping the plant in a spot with partial shade during intense heat can also help prevent leaf drooping.
Brown Spots on Hibiscus Leaves: Reasons and Fixes
Brown spots on Hibiscus leaves are often caused by fungal infections or insect damage. What is leaf spot disease in Hibiscus? It’s a fungal issue that causes small, dark spots on the leaves. To fix it, trim the affected leaves and avoid wetting the foliage during watering sessions. Apply a fungicide if the problem persists, and keep the plant’s environment dry.
How to Fix Hibiscus Leaves Curling?
Hibiscus leaves may curl, due to pests, nutrient deficiencies, or environmental stress. So, how do you treat Hibiscus leaf curls? First, check for pests like aphids and remove them. Make sure the plant is getting enough nutrients by fertilizing it properly. Also, keep the Hibiscus in a stable environment, avoiding frost and drafts.
What Is Eating My Hibiscus Leaves?
If your hibiscus leaves have holes, insects like caterpillars or beetles might be eating them. How do you treat Hibiscus holes in leaves? First, inspect the plant and remove any visible pests. You can use insecticidal soap or neem oil to treat and prevent further damage.
Hibiscus Leaves Turning Yellow: FAQs
Q: Should I cut off the yellow leaves on Hibiscus?
A: The yellow leaves on your Hibiscus won't turn green again. Hence, snip them off, allowing the plant to direct its energy into new growth.
Q: Do Hibiscus lose their leaves in the winter?
A: Yes, they may do. Hibiscus plants, grown in pots outdoors during the summer, often drop some of their leaves when first brought inside during winter. This is normal and not something to worry about. New leaves will again start sprouting in early spring.
Q: What does an overwatered Hibiscus look like?
A: An overwatered Hibiscus can be recognized by its swollen, yellow leaves, waterlogged soil, and mushy roots. The foul smell coming out of the pot’s base is another sign of overwatering.
Q: Why are the leaves on my Hibiscus wilting?
A: The leaves on your Hibiscus may be wilting, due to overexposure to sunlight, underwatering, and diseases.
Q: What are the benefits of Hibiscus leaves?
A: Hibiscus leaves, including its extracts, are highly beneficial. Tea made from its leaves and flowers helps lower systolic blood pressure levels, bring down “bad” cholesterol, improve liver health, boost the immune system, and fight inflammation.
Q: How do I know if my Hibiscus has spider mites?
A: You may not catch the tiny spider mites easily with your naked eye. Watch out for fine, silky webs and damaged leaves to confirm the presence of these pests.
Q: What kills fungus on Hibiscus?
A: Some DIY solutions to kill fungus on your Hibiscus plant include water with a drop of dish soap, neem oil solution, or a mixture of water and baking soda.
Conclusion
Yellow Hibiscus leaves often signal issues like incorrect watering, nutrient deficiencies, pest infestations, poor sunlight, temperature fluctuations, and more. To address this, ensure proper watering, use balanced 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 fertilizer to cover nutrient deficiencies, and check for pests. Maintaining healthy soil, and appropriate temperature and light conditions will also keep your Hibiscus vibrant.
To create a beautiful blooming indoor garden and complement your Hibiscus visually, why not consider growing a Flamingo Flower and Peace Lily Plant together with your China Rose plant?