Why are my lemon tree leaves turning yellow?
Lemon tree leaves turning yellow is a common concern in winter, and the cause is usually the cold. When soil temperatures drop, citrus trees struggle to take up certain nutrients, resulting in the pale, yellowing foliage often seen in winter. It looks alarming, but it’s rarely a serious problem.
If your lemon tree leaves are turning yellow, a foliar feed can help green them up quickly. Plants have the remarkable ability to absorb nutrients directly through their leaves, bypassing the cold soil altogether. Mix an all-purpose liquid fertiliser at half strength and spray both the upper and lower leaf surfaces. You should notice an improvement within a couple of weeks.
Of course, doing nothing is perfectly fine too. In most cases, lemon tree leaves turning yellow is only temporary. As the soil warms in spring, roots become more active, nutrient uptake improves and the foliage will usually green up on its own.
Now’s the perfect time to prepare your citrus for spring, especially if your lemon tree leaves are turning yellow. Spread a layer of compost around the drip zone (the area beneath the outer edge of the canopy). Add a few handfuls of organic fertiliser pellets, water deeply, then cover with a thick layer of sugar cane mulch to lock everything in. For more seasonal citrus care tips, visit Sustainable Gardening Australia’s cool climate citrus guide. When spring arrives, the roots will be ready to make the most of all that organic goodness waiting for them.
