As a herb gardener, seeing your parsley plant turn yellow can be worrying. This vibrant green herb brings a pop of color and flavor to dishes, so you want it looking its best. The good news is, with the right care, you can get your parsley back to peak condition.
Here are the most common reasons for yellowing parsley plants and what you can do about them
Overwatering
Too much water is one of the top reasons parsley leaves turn yellow. Parsley likes consistently moist (but not soggy) soil. If the soil stays saturated for too long, it can damage the parsley’s roots and lead to yellowing leaves. The excess moisture also encourages fungal diseases like root rot, which causes further root damage.
Check the soil moisture before watering. If it’s still damp 2-3 inches below the surface, hold off on adding more water. Allow the soil to partially dry out between waterings. If you suspect overwatering, let the soil dry completely before resuming a careful watering schedule.
Drought Conditions
On the flip side, a lack of water can also cause parsley to yellow. If the soil dries out too much between waterings, the plant can’t take up the moisture and nutrients it needs. Hot, dry, or windy weather exacerbates the problem. Container grown parsley is especially prone to drought stress.
Check the soil moisture regularly and water when the top few inches of soil become dry In extreme heat, parsley may need daily watering Add mulch around outdoor plants to help retain moisture. Moving containers to a shadier spot can also reduce moisture loss.
Insufficient Light
Parsley thrives in full sun. With too little light, the leaves yellow as the plant stretches and becomes leggy. Indoor parsley and plants in heavily shaded gardens are most susceptible.
If possible, move parsley to a sunnier location outdoors. Indoors, situate plants near bright windows or use grow lights to supplement natural sunlight. Pruning leggy growth can also encourage new healthy leaves.
Poor Soil Quality
Like all plants, parsley needs nutrient-rich soil to stay vigorous. Depleted or dense soil that doesn’t hold nutrients well can lead to deficiency. This stresses the plant, causing the leaves to yellow and drop.
Rejuvenate garden beds by mixing in several inches of aged compost or well-rotted manure before planting. For containers, use a quality potting mix and add organic fertilizer mid-season if needed. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can burn roots.
Root Damage
Anything that damages parsley’s taproot and root system can cause leaves to yellow. Root damage is common when transplanting parsley. If roots are disturbed too much, the plant goes into shock and sheds some leaves.
When transplanting parsley, handle the root ball carefully to limit root stress. Direct sowing parsley can avoid transplant shock altogether. Check for root damage if yellowing occurs shortly after transplanting.
Disease or Pests
Several common parsley pests and diseases can lead to yellowing. These include:
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Root rot fungi like pythium, which thrive in wet conditions. Improve soil drainage and allow soil to dry between waterings.
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Carrot rust fly larvae that feed on roots. Cover plants with row cover fabric to exclude the flies.
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Downy mildew, a fungal disease that first appears as yellow spots. Improve air circulation and avoid wetting foliage.
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Spider mites that suck juices from leaves. Knock them off with a strong spray of water.
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Aphids that distort plant growth when feeding. Wipe off or use insecticidal soap.
Catching problems early allows for quicker treatment before significant leaf yellowing occurs. Check plants routinely for signs of pests or disease. Remove and destroy any yellowing leaves to prevent spreading.
Small Container Size
Parsley’s long taproot needs a deep pot to grow properly. Restricted roots in too small of a container eventually stunt the plant’s growth. As the roots fail to take up nutrients and moisture, the leaves yellow.
Choose a pot at least 10-12 inches deep with drainage holes when growing parsley on a patio or balcony. Avoid cramped multi-plant herb containers. Repotting into a larger container can give established plants a boost.
Normal Leaf Drop
Parsley naturally drops some of the older outer leaves as it grows. A little yellowing and shedding of lower leaves is normal, especially as the plant ages. The center will continue producing new growth.
Simply pinch off any yellowed leaves you notice. As long as the leaf drop is minor, the plant is likely just shedding old leaves, not in distress. Major yellowing indicates another cultural issue is at play.
How to Restore a Yellow Parsley Plant
If your parsley plant has yellowed due to stress or disease, don’t give up on it yet! Here are some tips to nurse it back to health:
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Identify and resolve the underlying issue, whether it’s overwatering, pests, poor light, etc. Preventing further stress is essential.
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Prune off any heavily yellowed or dead leaves and stems. This puts the plant’s energy toward new growth.
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Consider repotting into fresh soil to “reset” the plant if the current soil is depleted. Wash the roots first.
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Move the plant to a shaded spot out of intense sun until it recovers. Too much light will further stress it.
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Make sure the plant gets deep, consistent watering as it recovers. Soil should dry slightly between waterings.
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Mix a weak liquid plant fertilizer into the water 1-2 times to provide nutrients. Compost tea also works.
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Cut back on harvesting until you see vigorous regrowth. Let the plant focus its energy on repair.
With time and TLC, mildly to moderately yellowed parsley usually rebounds and produces lush greenery again. Have patience and stick to good growing habits.
Yellow parsley leaves are a common frustration for gardeners. But armed with the knowledge of what causes the problem and how to remedy it, you can revive your plants. Pay close attention to your parsley’s care, particularly soil moisture. Address issues promptly to keep your parsley thriving and prevent leaf yellowing.
Her Parlsey leaves started turning Yellow, so i did this..
FAQ
What to do when parsley leaves turn yellow?
However, if the leaves turn yellow, but the leaf veins remain green, this may be an indicator that the soil is too acidic. A magnesium deficiency will become apparent early in the year if the location is not suitable. Apply lime regularly to provide a long-term remedy, while also improving the soil structure.
How often should I water parsley?
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Reddithttps://www.reddit.comHELP! Why is my parsley plant dying? How can I make it become …Aug 21, 2012 — * Stick your finger in the dirt. Feel it. Is it moist to your first knuckle (that’s your “fingernail” knuckle, not your “doorknocker” knuckle). In …
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University of Minnesota Extensionhttps://extension.umn.eduGrowing parsley in home gardens | UMN ExtensionWater deeply at least once a week. … Parsley is an easy herb to grow indoors as long as it has a bright location and holes in the bottom of the pot to ensure …
How do you fix yellow leaves on plants?
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Overwatering:Soggy soil prevents roots from breathing, leading to root rot and yellowing. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings, and ensure the pot has good drainage.
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Underwatering:Plants need water to function properly, and dehydration can cause yellowing. Thoroughly water the plant, making sure the soil is evenly moist.
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Soil compaction:If water isn’t draining properly, the soil might be compacted. Gently poke holes in the soil to improve air circulation.
Why do parsley leaves turn yellow?
The common reason for this is because of rot in the root or crown area due to saturated soil or it can also turn yellow because of the absence of water. It is a general characteristic of parsley leaves to turn yellow that happens quite often. There are several reasons for the yellow color of parsley leaves.
How do you fix a yellow parsley plant?
Wash your pot with a 2:1 water and bleach solution and dispose of any remaining soil. Dip the roots of your plant into the fungicide and replant it in your clean pot, preferably with compost or fertilizer. The last common causes of a yellowing parsley plant are bugs.
Why are my plants turning yellow?
The condition of plants losing their normal green color and turning yellow is called chlorosis, and it can happen for several reasons. So identifying the true problem is key to tackling it quickly and correctly. If you don’t have time to read the details, here’s a quick breakdown of the key points:
Why is my parsley shedding leaves?
If you garden in clay soil, or the soil in your container is really dense, the parsley’s taproot may have difficulty growing into the soil and pulling up nutrients needed for the leaves. This may cause the parsley plant to shed leaves that can’t be supported by the restricted root growth.
Why is my parsley drooping?
Parsley prefers moist soil with plenty of organic matter that allows for good drainage. In soil that is saturated or boggy (as opposed to just moist) there is more risk of fungal diseases such as root rot and crown rot both of which result in the leaves of parsley turning yellow and the stems tend to droop downwards.
Why are my green leaves turning yellow?
Yellow leaves happen because the plant is responding to stress or normal aging by diverting energy away from certain leaves, causing them to turn yellow. Once this happens, the leaf cannot regain its green color. But when you treat the underlying stress factor, the plant will start growing new, healthy green leaves.