Plumeria Leaves Turning Yellow – How To Prevent It

Plumeria tree is a hybrid plant that has pink, red, or white flowers with various scents. It can be used as an accent flower in the gardens because of its unique appearance. In many cases, it was found that some parts of the leaves turned yellow during the summer season. The reasons behind this problem are also not known. Some people said that it could be from the damage to insects while others mentioned water pollution. This article will give possible causes and solutions for plumeria leaves turning yellow.

Causes For Plumeria Leaves Turning Yellow

The following are the causes for Plumeria leaves turning yellow:

• Exposure to cold temperatures:

  If the air temperature becomes less than 21 degrees Celsius, then chances are pretty high that you’ll find your Plumeria leaves turning brownish-yellow or yellowish-brown. If the temperature drops below 4 degrees Celsius, chances of getting your leaves to turn completely yellow will increase. So if you’re finding out that your Plumeria turns yellow when the temperature drops, try changing the light on your house by using more heaters instead of lamps.

• Roots rot:

  This is common among most plants, especially those with roots bound to the soil. When such a thing happens, the roots begin to decay, so they cannot take vital nutrients from the surrounding soil. As a result, it leads to the growth of green algae covering your leaves. You must note that this condition is very serious, so your plant might die anytime soon. Try loosening up the soil around the plant and ensure there is enough space between the soil and the base.

• Nutrient deficiencies:

  Another major cause for Plumeria leaves turning orangey-yellow color is nutrient deficiency. Several different types of nutrients are required for the proper development of your plant, including N (nitrogen), P (phosphorus), K (potassium), and S (sulfur). These nutrients are required in small amounts but should be present at all times because otherwise, your plants won’t be able to grow properly. Your garden needs these elements to grow healthy.

  Nutrients play an important role in making your plant-strong, as we know that our environment requires optimum mineral requirements for health and survival. Anytime you choose to grow a houseplant, make sure that you provide it with an adequate supply of each of these nutrients. Fertilization now and then is vital for maintaining the health of the plant. Furthermore, don’t forget to apply fertilizer according to the recommendations available on the package.

• Poor drainage:

  If you notice that your soil has become dry or wet unevenly, then it is best to check whether you have good drainage or not. A poorly drained root system might lead to problems like soft panicles, poor flowering, etc. Ensure that your plant gets enough water throughout the year regardless of how hot it may seem outside. You can use rain barrels to collect water. Make sure that you avoid overwatering your plant.

• Natural aging:

  In addition to the reasons mentioned above, aging also plays a role in this issue. Older plants tend to change color faster than young ones. However, other factors contribute to the aging process of your plant. Most include environmental, genetic, nutrition, pest attacks, pest infestation, etc.

• Root Bound:

  Like any other plant, Plumeria trees need sufficient sunlight to thrive optimally. But in situations where the sun is weaker than what’s needed for optimal growth, your plant might get root-bound. This problem occurs due to a lack of oxygenation in the soil. Roots begin to rot when exposed to excess moisture or air in the soil. In this case, when you loosen up the soil around your plant, you will notice that many cracks and holes are forming around the roots. What should you do? Well, first, you need to remove all dead parts. Then you need to add some fertilizer to prevent the formation of fungus. After that, you must fill the holes with fresh potting compost or soil. Finally, it would help if you covered your newly created holes with plastic wrap or duct tape to keep them moist.

• Soil pH levels too high:

  The next reason plumerias leaves turn yellowish is if the soil is acidic. It usually happens when the pH level is higher when compared to seven, which is neutral. Plants require a balance of alkaline soils versus acidic ones. When the pH levels of your soil become very low, your plants start losing their leaves. And that is why you want to maintain an ideal soil pH level so your plant can look great. For this purpose, you need to fertilize regularly. Additionally, you must ensure that the fertilizers you give to your plants are organic-based and free from chemicals. If your plant appears pale and unhealthy, it is better to seek professional help immediately because some diseases can affect your plant severely.

• Transplant Shock:

  Transplant shock can occur when you remove a plant from a pot after being grown for quite some time. The main cause of transplant shock could be that your plant was kept at high humidity for a long time. To overcome this problem, you need to reduce the humidity around the plant by removing all the old or rotting materials. Also, it would help if you pruned off the damaged branches. Moreover, you can put a net around the pot to keep the humidity under control.

• Other problems:

  Apart from the issues mentioned earlier, there could also be other problems. Some of them include insect damage, herbivore attacks, and plant diseases. Insects can bite the leaves or stems, causing swelling and discoloration. If you find insects feeding on the underside of the leaf, try using insecticidal soap. Herbivores might chew off pieces or leave their droppings behind, making the plant look unappetizing. Plant disease might occur if you don’t properly care for your plant. It can cause deformation, discolored leaves, stunted growth, wilting, etc.

Solutions For Plumeria Leaves Turning Yellow

The following are the possible solutions for Plumeria leaves turning yellow:

• Remove All Dead Parts:

  You need to make sure that you clean your entire plant completely. It would help if you cut down every single branch that looks dry. Clean the leaves thoroughly. Use a soft scrubbing brush to avoid scratching your plants’ leaves. Make sure that no part remains untouched since dirt, debris, or anything else will likely attract pests. Apart from that, you must also remove any debris accumulated in the pot’s bottom.

• Fertilize Regularly:

  It is important to provide regular nutrition for your plant to grow optimally. This not only increases productivity but also ensures healthy growth. To achieve this, you need to use a balanced fertilizer. This kind of fertilizer consists of nutrients that a particular plant needs. A fertilizer may comprise one or more elements such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), chlorine (Cl), and sulfur (S). Nutrients like N, P, and K are responsible for providing energy, while the roots use Ca and Mg for cell division and metabolism. Calcium helps in cell proliferation and development. Sulfur aids in photosynthesis and chlorophyll production. Hence, it is essential to apply these supplements frequently.

• Prevent Humidity Levels Above 50%:

  Plants thrive best when they get ample amounts of water. But excessive moisture levels can lead to fungal infections or damping-off. Damping-off occurs when fungi invade the root systems. They start affecting the plants’ roots, weakening them and eventually killing them. As a result, a lot of damage is done to the plant. To prevent that, you must lower the humidity level above 50%. Reduce the humidity by misting the foliage with water. Moisture evaporates quicker than air does, leading to lower humidity levels. Moreover, you must carefully monitor the amount of water given to your plant. Waterlogging prevents proper oxygenation of the plant tissues causing slow and weak growth.

• Prune away the Weak and Broken Branches:

  Prune away weak and broken branches. Your aim should not be to remove large plant sections; instead, focus on improving its health. Trimming back dead and fallen branches will help increase airflow into the plant. This will ensure better absorption of oxygen into the tissue. Also, trimming the top few inches of plants will make them look more lush and attractive. It will also encourage new bud formation, improving their overall appearance.

• Control Insects:

  Insects cause havoc in most commercial agriculture. They destroy up to 80% of crops annually. Many insects include aphids, ladybird beetles, mealy bugs, mites, snails, and thrips. Most importantly, caterpillars damage flowers and tender shoots badly. Hence, control insect infestations immediately. Check where they nest and spray insecticides there. Try spraying pesticides at least twice weekly to keep pest populations under check.

• Avoid Overwatering:

  Overwatering affects several aspects of your plant’s growth. When exposed to excess water, leaves tend to wilt when subjected to extreme heat. The next thing is that over-watering makes the soil too moist and prone to fungus attacks. Fungal diseases spread very quickly if the weather gets hot. This is because they require high levels of moisture. During extremely hot days, reduce the irrigation frequency and stop watering altogether during daytime hours. It would help if you gave enough time between irrigation cycles to allow the soil to dry off completely. This will stop any bacteria from contaminating the plants. If necessary, do so manually using dripping trays set below your plants.

• Keep Plants Indoors During Winter:

  During winter, indoor plants suffer from a lack of sunlight. They remain dormant and often die due to insufficient light. Keep your indoor plants inside to avoid the damaging effects of low temperatures. Make sure that light enters the room only through windows and doors. And use fluorescent lighting tubes positioned at an angle toward the growing pot. This way, it penetrates deeper into the pot area and provides warmth. Fluorescent bulbs produce much less heat than incandescent ones. So, choose energy-efficient light bulbs and replace them regularly.

• Give Plenty of Light:

  Your plants may have grown big, but they still need plenty of sun rays to grow well. Direct sun exposure promotes leaf burn and early flowering. Choose indirect lighting that emits a soft glow over the plant’s surface. It keeps the plant cool without overheating. Also, direct sunlight encourages rapid growth, which may lead to stunted or damaged foliage. Ensure your plants are not shaded by other vegetation. Remove weeds around the house and plant as soon as you spot them. These can easily compete with the main plant for nutrients and space. Doing this can help your indoor plant grow healthier and stronger.

• Maintain Proper Potting Methodology:

  The right method of potted growth and maintenance is important in maximizing the size of plants. Never overwater your indoor plants. Let the soil get fully saturated after each irrigation cycle. Waterlogging occurs when the soil remains wet for longer periods. It leads to root decay and fungal attack. In addition, waterlogged soil does not hold adequate air and nutrients, which results in deformed growth patterns. Always place your containers in a tray filled with pebbles or gravel to prevent damp conditions. This allows air to circulate freely while providing some protection against frost and freezing. Similarly, keep the container away from drafts or vents.

• Use the Right Pest Control Products:

  Insect pests could be a major problem during the period of dormancy. Some insects feed on your house plant leading to brown spots, wilts, and eventually death. Insecticidal sprays and dust should be used to eradicate bugs from growing areas such as stems, leaves, flowers, buds, and roots. Do not apply insecticides directly onto the plant itself. Instead, spray near the base of the stem, where it meets the ground. Spray every two weeks to control pest infestation.