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Lycopersicon esculentum Yellow Leaves
eco Yellow Leaves

Lycopersicon esculentum – Yellow Leaves

Why does your Lycopersicon esculentum have yellow leaves? Diagnose the cause and fix it with our step-by-step guide.

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Jump to cause: Nitrogen Deficiency Overwatering and Poor Drainage Early Blight (Alternaria solani) Magnesium Deficiency

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Nitrogen Deficiency

Nitrogen is a mobile nutrient in tomatoes; when lacking, the plant translocates it from older leaves to new growth, causing uniform yellowing starting at the bottom of the plant.

Very Common
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How to confirm: Observe if the yellowing began on the oldest, lowest leaves while the top of the plant remains green.
build How to fix it
shopping_cart Recommended Products
1 Apply a nitrogen-rich organic fertilizer to immediately boost nutrient levels and green up the foliage.
Back to the Roots Blood Meal & Gypsum (4 Pack)
Back to the Roots Blood Meal & Gypsum (4 Pack)
Organic Fertilizer
$40
Out of Stock
2 Incorporate a balanced organic soil amendment like worm castings into the top layer of soil to provide long-term nitrogen release.
Back to the Roots Organic Worm Castings 5lb
Back to the Roots Organic Worm Castings 5lb
Worm Castings
$17
In Stock
3 Monitor soil moisture levels using a moisture meter to ensure the plant can effectively uptake the newly applied nutrients.
GROWIT Soil Moisture Meter - Blue
GROWIT Soil Moisture Meter - Blue
Water Meters
$12
In Stock
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Overwatering and Poor Drainage

Excessive soil moisture displaces oxygen in the root zone, leading to root hypoxia and preventing the uptake of essential nutrients like magnesium.

Very Common
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How to confirm: Stick your finger two inches into the soil to see if it feels saturated or muddy.
build How to fix it
shopping_cart Recommended Products
1 Immediately reduce watering frequency and ensure the plant is in a container with adequate drainage holes to prevent water from pooling at the roots.
Bleuhome 10" Plant Saucer 6-Pack Black
Bleuhome 10" Plant Saucer 6-Pack Black
Pot Saucers
$20
In Stock
2 Check the soil moisture levels regularly using a moisture meter to ensure the top inch of soil is dry before watering again.
GROWIT Soil Moisture Meter - Blue
GROWIT Soil Moisture Meter - Blue
Water Meters
$12
In Stock
3 Amend the existing soil with perlite to improve aeration and drainage, helping to restore oxygen to the root zone.
Legigo Perlite 20qt
Legigo Perlite 20qt
18.9 L • Perlite
$27
In Stock
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Early Blight (Alternaria solani)

This fungal pathogen causes dark spots on leaves which then turn yellow, often appearing first on lower foliage in humid conditions.

Very Common
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How to confirm: Look for distinctive concentric 'target' rings within the yellowing or necrotic spots on the leaves.
build How to fix it
shopping_cart Recommended Products
1 Remove and discard all infected lower leaves immediately to prevent the fungal spores from spreading to the rest of the plant.
2 Apply an organic fungicide to protect healthy foliage from further infection.
Bonide Captain Jack's Copper Fungicide 32 oz
Bonide Captain Jack's Copper Fungicide 32 oz
0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic
$12
In Stock
3 Improve air circulation around the plant and avoid overhead watering to keep the foliage dry and reduce humidity.
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Magnesium Deficiency

A lack of magnesium causes interveinal chlorosis, where the leaf tissue turns yellow but the veins remain dark green.

Common
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How to confirm: Inspect if the yellowing is strictly limited to the areas between the leaf veins.
build How to fix it
shopping_cart Recommended Products
1 Apply a magnesium-rich supplement to the soil to quickly address the interveinal chlorosis.
FoxFarm Bush Doctor Cal Mag Liquid Supplement 1 Pint
FoxFarm Bush Doctor Cal Mag Liquid Supplement 1 Pint
0.5 L • 1 pcs • Organic
$22
In Stock
2 Ensure the plant is receiving consistent nutrients by using a balanced liquid fertilizer during its growth phase.
FoxFarm Grow Big Liquid Plant Food 1 Quart
FoxFarm Grow Big Liquid Plant Food 1 Quart
0.9 L • 1 pcs
$30
In Stock
3 Monitor soil pH levels, as magnesium uptake is often hindered by high pH environments.
YAMRON 4-in-1 Digital Soil Tester
YAMRON 4-in-1 Digital Soil Tester
Water Meters
$33
In Stock

Other Lycopersicon esculentum problems

Your plant might also be experiencing one of these issues:

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