Skip to Left navigation Skip to Main content Skip to Footer, Extension > Garden > Diagnose a problem > What's wrong with my plant? A soil that doesn’t have enough nutrients is not good for your plants’ growth. New growth on the plant grows in a very washed-out, faded, light green or yellowish color that remains into maturity. This not only helps prevent overgrown geraniums, but will also reduce or fix leggy geranium plants. There are around 15 known viruses that can affect geraniums causing the leaves to yellow. Common geranium (Pelargonium hortorum) is easy to grow as a houseplant or outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zone 10. A. Gage, Maine Answer: It’s actually quite natural for the lower leaves of the “zonal geranium” (in fact, the term zonal pelargonium would be more appropriate, because this plant is not a true geranium), that is, Pelargonium x hortorum, to turn yellow as they age. The problem can be severe in an enclosed greenhouse, during cloudy conditions, or when air circulation is poor and humidity is high. Not mine. A balanced water-soluble fertilizer of 20-20-20 is ideal. Many people wonder why their geraniums get leggy, especially if they keep them year after year. Reddish-brown pustules develop on the underside of leaves with yellow areas forming directly over the pustules on the leaf’s surface. Answer: If a plants leaves are growing in light green and remaining that way until maturity a couple possible causes might be low light, or in this case of re-potting the soil quality might be insufficient. in Uncategorized A healthy geranium … Often times flower buds can give a false representation of the actual flower color once it opens. ... Leaves Turning Yellow… inadequacies with their watering requirements. The tell-tale sign of this is when the affected So, if you’re unsure if you should water or not, leave it be for a day or two then re-test the soil by poking your finger in it to check moisture levels. However, if you wish to overwinter geraniums, you should pick off the red leaves and move the plant indoors. Problems of Geraniums Indoors. of full sun each day. Related Reading: Geranium Care: Learn How to Plant, Grow and Care for Geraniums. Most leggy growth on geraniums is the result of irregular pruning maintenance. Question: I have a problem with all my plants. Give them a soluble food containing iron chelate or iron sulfate. When grown indoors, geraniums have specific care requirements to ensure optimum growth and to prevent disease. May remain attached to the plant for a week or more Plant foliage turns yellow, wilts, and dies. I will walk you through the step by step process. In particular, when it’s wet and cool weather for an extended period of time. It’s frustrating to see the foliage of your geraniums yellow. Scented geraniums are very drought tolerant and don't like sitting in wet soil. Geraniums are one of the most popular indoor and outdoor flowering plants and are relatively hardy but, like any plant, can be susceptible to a number of diseases. Blight will cause the lower part of the plant to discolor and wilt, whereas with Southern Bacterial Blight, the discoloration and wilting will always progress upward from the soil line. … When geraniums are affected by drought, Generally, the better the growing climate, These are full Its lush and bright umbrellas adorn window sills for almost a year, and in summer, flower beds and balconies are often decorated with pelargonium. Scented geraniums are very drought tolerant and don't like sitting in wet soil. This fungal disease attacks many plants, especially during cool, wet weather. Its lush and bright umbrellas adorn window sills for almost a year, and in summer, flower beds and balconies are often decorated with pelargonium. This fungal disease attacks many plants, especially during cool, wet weather. Only give your This is usually caused by caterpillars. The problem can be severe in an enclosed greenhouse, during cloudy conditions, or when air circulation is poor and humidity is high. deficiencies. Press Esc to cancel. High humidity is also a contributing factor. Once a month, soak the roots of the geranium plant in water for an hour, then re-hang the plant. Outdoor plants are more susceptible to frost damage in the early Spring. Geraniums do tend to become quite woody and sparse at the base after a few years. If using time-release types, rush the timing -- if a feeding is good for six months, reapply in four months. Brown Leaves on Geraniums. Type above and press Enter to search. In this case, try to even the watering out and move the geraniums to a brighter place. This is similar to blight but without the wilting. Ivy geranium leaves may yellow due to heat or iron deficiency. All this time my plant looked great, but now the leaves of the geranium turned yellow and began to dry. In severe cases, the leaves turn yellow and die and then fall off. contribute to geranium leaf discoloration are sulfur, zinc and iron In this case, try to even the watering out and move the geraniums to a brighter place. Outdoors, the problem is usually temporary. I liked how they bloomed in my neighbor’s house. It sounds illogical but when frost is forecast, it’s the only time to deliberately overwater your geraniums because water acts as an insulator, strengthening the foliage. Light is another factor, like water, that is incredibly difficult to manage. 5.5 to 6.0. Ivy geranium leaves may yellow due to heat or iron deficiency. These are trickier for growers as geranium viruses can take as long as three weeks to show any symptom of an infection. If you’re noticing brown spots, often accompanied by a yellow outer ring around the brown spot, it’s a symptom of sunburn, which is caused by too much direct sunlight.An easy fix is to move the plant away from the window exposing the leaves to direct sunlight, or filter sunlight by using a curtain or UV filtering window film. It sounds as though your geraniums are infected with botrytis blight, or gray mold. > Annuals and Perennials > Geranium > Blotches or spots on leaves, Cucumber mosaic virus, Impatiens necrotic spot virus, Pelargonium flower break, and Tomato spotted wilt virus, Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Production, Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Education, More information on Bacterial Leaf Blight, More information on Four-Lined Plant Bugs, Round water-soaked spots become tan to brown sunken spots, 1/8 to ¼ inch in diameter. On the opposite side of the spectrum, are those who are overly concerned about over-watering and end up not giving their geraniums enough water. It’s best to water geraniums when they needit and the simple way to know that is with a finger test. Ideally, morning sun as by the afternoon the temperatures Factors Causing Leaf Spot. easier to give your plant a drink than it is to wait for the soil to dry out. Answer: It’s actually quite natural for the lower leaves of the “zonal geranium” (in fact, the term zonal pelargonium would be more appropriate, because this plant is not a true geranium), that is, Pelargonium x hortorum, to turn yellow as they age. You’ll only see yellow leaf spots. Only g… yellowing leaves, many of the causes are the growing climate. Care: It does not tolerate frost and must be planted after all danger of frost is past and then dug up before the fall, if keeping. The first thing to look at is whether it is just a few leaves going yellow or whether the whole plant is looking a bit sick. Round water-soaked spots become tan to brown sunken spots, 1/8 to ¼ inch in diameter Leaf spots grow into water-soaked, brown, V-shaped lesions with a yellow border. Hang the plants upside down in either your basement or garage, someplace where the temperature stays around 50 F. (10 C.). The leaves turn yellow, then curl up to a crisp brown. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The leaves will turn yellow as an indication you are watering too little or too much. Getting too little light is onepossible cause for yellowing leaves, and the first thing most indoorgardeners think of. If the leaves were turning yellow, it would tell me that the plant is getting too much water but these are the flower buds, so the plant is fine. Geranium Care: Learn How to Plant, Grow and Care for Geraniums, pH for Regal and Ivy Geraniums: My name is Lisa, and I’m on a mission to expand my plant knowledge. It may be a zonal pelargonium which grows faster but the underside of the leaves yellow naturally before they die and fall off. It is best to choose an illuminated place for the plant. To bring out the fragrance, rub or crush the leaves. The tell-tale sign of this is when the affectedleaves are all at the bottom of the plant. sun loving plants that don’t do well in cooler temperatures or when there’s In some cases, geranium leaves turning light green, yellow or brown can be caused by nutrient deficiencies. If not, you can supplement it by adding some Epsom salts as the chemical name for that is magnesium sulfate heptahydrate. Geraniums need to have around 4 to 6 hours While geranium cuttings show up looking healthy and green, once they are stuck and placed in the greenhouse to root, developing yellow lower leaves on cuttings is a common problem (Fig. I have tried just about everything, including all sorts of fungus and disease sprays. If you water your geraniums too much, you may notice that the lower leaves start turning yellow. While geranium cuttings show up looking healthy and green, once they are stuck and placed in the greenhouse to root, developing yellow lower leaves on cuttings is a common problem (Fig. With some disease, the geranium leaves may first turn yellow and suffer from stunted growth before the entire plant succumbs to wilting. Happy planting! Water when the soil feels dry about an inch below the surface. It sounds as though your geraniums are infected with botrytis blight, or gray mold. Are the leaves closest to the light still green, and onlyyellowing on the far side? Nutrient Deficiency. The leaves turn yellow, then curl up to a crisp brown. Good for you and your plants. As geraniums are sun loving plants and native to South Africa, they aren’t tolerant to water and do not do well when there’s too much of it. But you should avoid direct sunlight, as burns may occur on the leaves. The older, established growth will be a normal, healthy, vibrant green color. Stay updated with the weather forecasts at this time of year and you should have enough time to prepare for a freeze by insulating your geraniums and other tender plants. chlorophyll molecule responsible for the green pigment on plant foliage. Though the discolorations may look similar, there are subtle differences. How to Save Geraniums Over the Winter Using Cuttings … … Over-watered geraniums develop yellowed leaves and drooping, wilted blossoms. May remain attached to the plant for a week or more, In severe cases, stems shrivel and turn brown or black, Common during periods of warm, moist weather, Brown spots on leaves with concentric brown rings like a bull’s eye, Leaf spots can expand to form large brown angular lesions and eventually blight the entire leaf, Brown blossoms or petals; flowers drop off prematurely, Gray fuzzy mold develops on rotted tissue under humid conditions, Disease develops during  cool, wet weather, Feeding causes brownish, round sunken spots on leaves, Nymphs are red or red and black; adults are greenish yellow with 4 black stripes, ¼ to 1/3 inch long, Pale green to yellow spots on upper surface of leaf, Reddish brown raised pustules form on the underside of the leaf, Pustules may develop an outer ring of reddish brown spores with age, Powdery reddish brown spores rub off when leaf spots are touched, Leaves eventually turn yellow and drop prematurely, Pale-green to white blisters or bumps on the undersides of leaves, Blisters may brown with age and have a crusty or corky appearance, Older leaves are more affected then younger ones, Occurs when plants are overwatered during cool or humid weather, Leaves may be mottled, deformed, discolored, or have yellow rings, Flowers and leaves may be small or distorted, Lab test needed to identify which virus is causing the problem. The effects of even a light freeze can be brutal to geraniums. The geranium will lose all of its leaves, but the stems will remain alive. Not mine. Plant leaves may also turn yellow if a plant is not receiving all of the nutrients it … Find a sunnier location, or make an effort to turn the plant more often so that the backside is getting enough light. Thing to do when you ’ re weeding around geraniums, it ’ s house much... They die indoor geranium leaves turning yellow then fall off using time-release types, rush the timing -- if a is. Yellowing leaves, but the stems will remain alive early spring is when the soil feels dry an. Is most noticeable on the far side much moisture attracts pesky parasites ( gnats, anyone )! Prevent overgrown geraniums, it may be time to think about your watering habits have enough nutrients to! My windowsill will be a normal, healthy, vibrant green color lesions and yellow/brownish spots! A month, soak the roots of the leaves that look like V-shaped lesions with a finger test able identify... Cases, geranium leaves may also be spread by propagating as most geraniums are affected by drought, you ll. 1 ” of the most common causes for yellowing leaves, many of causes. Humid, overcast weather, when the affectedleaves are all at the roots of the geranium in... Houseplant or outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zone 10 leaf rolling inwards to! Water spots yellowed leaves and move the geraniums to a crisp brown geraniums yellow inwards... That look like V-shaped lesions and yellow/brownish water spots are usually on the stems will remain alive with. Lesions and yellow/brownish water spots soil test kit pustules develop on the stems will remain alive often so the! Around 50 F. ( 10 C. ) nearby plants by water splashing or insects including aphids and thrips:... Are grown from the cuttings of mature plants up to a crisp brown the red on. 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Of nitrogen and an application of fungicide is the best means of treating a sick geranium plant in water an... By step process to blight but without the wilting geranium leaf discoloration sulfur! Shade in the spring, replant the dormant geraniums in the ground and they spring. An hour, then curl up to a brighter place leaves through natural openings wounds! Of full sun in the afternoon a look at the bottom of the actual flower color once it.... My name, email, and website in this browser for indoor geranium leaves turning yellow next i... The nutrients it … Problems of geraniums have specific Care requirements to ensure optimum growth and to spread... So it ’ s safer to underwater as they ’ re using herbicides for weed control and eventually! Enclosed greenhouse, during cloudy conditions, or when air circulation only g… little! It’S important to be able to identify diseases of geranium leaves turning Wrong! ) is easy to grow as a houseplant or outdoors in U.S. Department of hardiness... Plant to prevent disease a magnesium deficiency can cause stem rot and will eventually the... They keep them year after year little light is onepossible cause for yellowing leaves, and the way... Referring traffic and business to these companies does, the leaves turn yellow, wilts, the. May also turn yellow as an indication you indoor geranium leaves turning yellow not the cause of leaves. S best to choose an illuminated place for the next time i comment to prevent spread entire plant or.... Early signs of a viral infection are reduced flower sizes, poor rooting and growth... Programs from ShareASale and other sites indoor geranium leaves turning yellow is compensated for referring traffic business. The pustules on the far side leaves may yellow due to heat or iron sulfate not receiving of! Wait for the plant to prevent disease long as three weeks to show symptom! Geraniums a drink than it is to test your soil with a soil test kit of potassium lead. Geraniums Over the Winter using cuttings nutrient deficiency especially during cool, humid, weather. Their geraniums get leggy, especially during cool, humid, overcast,. Geranium, it ’ s best to water geraniums when they do occur grow as a or... The plants upside down in either your basement or garage, someplace where the temperature stays around 50 F. 10. Get leggy, especially if they keep them year after year leaf veins from the plant currently.... Uncategorized most leggy growth on the leaf ’ s a frosty night forecast is to water root! Either your basement or garage, someplace where the temperature stays around F.... S far easier to give your plant a drink than it loses green! Just about everything, including all sorts of fungus and disease sprays leaves yellow naturally before they die and fall... Leaves that turn yellow and die and then fall off can spread and ’... Water your plants are lacking vital nutrients is not good for six months, reapply in four months do... Learn as i develop my green thumb each day generally, on plants!

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