Yellow Leaves In Geraniums

Yellow Leaves In Geraniums: How To Remedy Geranium Chlorosis

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Yellow leaves can indicate a nutritional deficiency in geraniums. We explain how to correctly identify and get rid of chlorosis in geraniums. Many decorate your window sills and gardens with geraniums, which are also known as geraniums (Pelargonium). They bloom in a wide variety of colors – from white to pink to various shades of red. Here you can find out what you can do about unsightly yellow discoloration on geranium leaves.

There are many different causes of chlorosis in geraniums – from nutrient deficiencies to temperature fluctuations.

Recognize chlorosis in geraniums

Different types of chlorosis can appear in geraniums. For example, chlorotic yellow spots form all over the leaves, or chlorosis begins on the leaf margin or elsewhere on the leaves. What all chloroses have in common is the discoloration of the green leaves to yellowish, which can lead to the death of the leaf tissue, so-called necrosis.

Reasons for chlorosis in geraniums

One of the most common causes of geranium chlorosis is nutritional deficiency. Depending on the type of deficiency, chloroses arise in different places. Therefore, watch the geranium leaves carefully to determine what nutrient deficiency it could be:

  • Boron deficiency: necrotic and chlorotic spots form at the base of the leaves of the middle-aged leaves and spread along the veins
  • Iron deficiency: yellowing of the young leaves between the leaf veins
  • Copper deficiency: yellowing begins at the base of the leaf and spreads to the edge of the leaf
  • Magnesium deficiency: yellowing of the older leaves between the leaf veins
  • Phosphorus deficiency: chlorotic spots on the lower, older leaves that expand and turn reddish-purple in color

Yellow leaves in geraniums: how to identify & remedy geranium chlorosis

However, there are also abiotic causes that clog geraniums and trigger chlorosis. This includes the following causes:

  • Sunburn: Indoor geraniums are often sunburned through the glass and then show yellow-brown spots; sunburn also causes necrosis (dead brown leaf areas)
  • Heat damage: At temperatures above 28 ° C, chlorosis and later necrosis can develop on the shoot tips
  • Cold damage: Chlorosis forms at the shoot tips at temperatures below 8 ° C
  • Temperature fluctuations: Cold nights paired with warm daytime temperatures can cause yellowing of the older leaves; in addition, red leaf margins can also appear

The growth conditions are also decisive for the occurrence of chlorosis in geraniums. Pests such as the whitefly ( Trialeurodes vaporariorum ), spider mites ( Tetranychidae ), or mealybugs ( Pseudococcidae ) can also cause yellow discoloration, but this is only damage to the insects.

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Prevent chlorosis in geraniums

As mentioned above, chlorosis can have many different causes, so there are many methods to prevent chlorosis.

First and foremost, this includes an optimal supply of nutrients. With the right fertilization, you can prevent chlorosis from the outset. You should also ensure that your geraniums do not thrive in a pot that is too narrow, as this can not only lead to a nutrient deficiency but also exhaustion of the soil and a reduction in the capacity of the roots.

Provide the geraniums with plenty of nutrients right from the start by mixing fertilizer with the substrate while planting. Special flower fertilizers are suitable for this, which contains 4% nitrogen, 2% phosphorus, and 7% potassium, and guarantees your geraniums a good supply of nutrients.

Since chlorosis can also be caused by external factors such as temperature, you should avoid exposing your geraniums to temperatures below 8 ° C or above 28 ° C. Indoor geraniums often suffer from sun damage – especially the leaves that touch the window panes. Such locations should therefore be avoided.

You can use yellow boards to monitor whether the discoloration is caused by pests such as the whitefly or for some other reason. You can simply put these in the flower boxes and regularly check whether animals are sticking to the glue layer. You can find out more about yellow boards and which pests they can be used for here.

Fix chlorosis in geraniums

If your geraniums suffer from chlorosis caused by a lack of nutrients, you can easily remedy this with a fertilizer. You can use special geranium fertilizers for this, which not only contain nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium but usually also have an extra shot of trace elements. These fertilizers are often available in liquid form so that you can simply mix them with the irrigation water and use it to fertilize the geraniums.

If your geraniums are planted in a pot that is too narrow, there is nothing to avoid repotting. The additional space and the fresh and nutrient-rich substrate will help the geranium get on its feet again. When repotting, you can also mix fertilizer with the plant substrate immediately to optimally care for your geraniums. Here’s everything you need to know about planting geraniums.

Yellow leaves in geraniums: how to identify & remedy geranium chlorosis

Summary of preventing geranium chlorosis:

  • Balanced nutrient supply
  • Use flower or geranium fertilizer
  • Do not put in pots or flower boxes that are too narrow
  • Avoid temperatures below 8 ° C and above 28 ° C

You can find more information about the care of geraniums here in our special article.

Reference List:

  • Low substrate pH causes lower leaf chlorosis and necrosis in geraniums, link: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/low_substrate_ph_causes_lower_leaf_chlorosis_and_necrosis_in_geraniums
  • Geranium – Nitrogen Deficiency, link: https://ag.umass.edu/greenhouse-floriculture/photos/geranium-nitrogen-deficiency

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One Comment

  1. I live at the Gold Coast- Queensland – Australia
    I have several yellow leaved ,pink inflorescence miniature sized
    geraniums , they grow very well here. I use an all purpose NPK Slow Release -fast acting over 3 months Fertilizer Our weather seems to suit these plants –High Summer humidity -approximately 95%
    lowest winter temp ever was 4 degrees -Winter temperature – normally about 10/17
    I have White and Red Geraniums with green leaves .
    I have spent thousands of hours in gardens in 3 States
    Western Australia ,New South Wales and Queensland
    My Age ? I am in my 77th year

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