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Why Pomegranate Leaves Turn Yellow? (5 Reasons and solutions)

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Summers are a great time for blooming and growing some delicious hot weather fruits such as pomegranates.

Everything is going well with your pomegranate plants, they are growing and turning out yummy fruit, but suddenly you are left with one question in your mind – Why pomegranate leaves turn yellow?

It could be just the turn of the season causing that change in pomegranate plants or something serious like not getting the prerequisites. If you have been facing that problem, your search is over as we have got the answer for why pomegranate leaves turn yellow.

Why Pomegranate Leaves Turn Yellow 1
Pomegranate Leaves Turn Yellow – via Reddit

Why Pomegranate Leaves Turn Yellow?

The good news is that a pomegranate tree or plant does not need extensive care. They are not among the demanding plants. However, you may still mess up with the requirements due to a lack of knowledge.

The yellowing of leaves is especially problematic when the plant is in the fruiting period. It can destroy the quality of your fruits if you don’t take immediate action.

So, let’s find out why pomegranate leaves turn yellow? What might be the issues with your plant, and what to do about it?

1. Not Giving Proper Amount of Water

Overwatering and underwatering are some of the reasons why pomegranate leaves turn yellow. Pomegranate plants do just fine in arid regions as well as in summer. They do need a certain amount of water, but most people go overboard in giving water to a plant.

Overwatering is more common than underwatering. People tend to add so much water that the soil becomes waterlogged, causing issues for the roots.

The soil of your pomegranate tree should neither be dry nor soggy. The dry plant will wilt and die while the waterlogged roots won’t get air and sunlight, and the plant will turn yellow. A common symptom of overwatering is the yellowing of leaves, starting from the top.

The appropriate timing to water a pomegranate plant is in the early hours of the morning. In the summer season, water every other day until the soil is moist, but it shouldn’t be in a stagnant position too much above the soil.

In winters and early spring season, water the plant only once a week to prevent overwatering and waterlogging.

2. Changing Seasons and Temperature

Pomegranates are deciduous trees, and as such, they tend to close off when the first hints of winters arrive. These trees will turn the leaves yellow and shed them to protect themselves from the approaching harshness of the winter and so they don’t have to work extra to make the required amount of food.

When the temperatures start to cool down, and winter is around the corner, check for any other signs of stress or sickness on the plant. If there are no other signs and the yellowing of the tree starting only near winter, your pomegranate tree is headed for its winter slumber.

This is a natural seasonal change, and it is not much you can do about it except wait for spring. As soon as the temperature takes a turn for the hotter seasons, your trees will be back in bloom.

While you are waiting for spring to arrive, prune back about half of your pomegranate tree, so it won’t have to work as hard to produce nutrients. Ensure not to overwater them and give water every 7-10 days and never more than once a week in winter.

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Pomegranate Leaves Turn Yellow – via xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com

3. Incorrect Amount of Fertilization

Pomegranate plants need proper nutrients to go in full bloom and keep growing. The most common problem with nutrition happens with nitrogen. If the plant gets too much nitrogen, the roots will burn, and the leaves will turn yellow.

Similarly, if your plant does not get enough nitrogen, it will be unable to grow properly, and the leaves will turn yellow in this case. So, whatever fertilizer you are using, you need to make sure that the nitrogen content is just right. It shouldn’t be too much or too little for the pomegranate plant.

A good time to fertilize the pomegranate plant is when it starts to bloom or in the early days of January.

4. Pests and Sap-Sucking Insects

Pests and other insects that suck the sap out of plants are a real threat, and they turn your whole plant yellow even though they are tiny in size. You will not be able to spot an infestation immediately as they grow slowly all over the plant.

If you notice any signs of the leaves turning pale or curling upwards, check the underside of the leaves for pests. Aphids, mealybugs, scales, whiteflies, and spider mites usually attack from the bottom of the leaf and invade the pant from there.

Spider mites are harder to spot, but a common sign of these insects is thread-like structures on your plant. Once the pest attack spreads to an infestation, it would be hard to do anything besides try an insecticide, and even those might not work.

If the insects have not spread far and wide, an insecticide might be a good option. Make sure to choose one that is not harmful to the pomegranates. For some homemade recipes, neem oil or a soap solution is quite effective.

However, the best way to deal with pests and insects is to prevent their attack. You can spray the plant and leaves with pressured water regularly to wash off any mites or bugs that may have made a home under the leaves.

5. Lack of Sunlight

Pomegranates are tropical plants, and they need plenty of sunlight every day to grow in their best shape. Make sure your pomegranate plants get 6-7 hours of bright sunlight daily.

If the leaves turn yellow, check to see that no overhead obstacle is blocking the light. Place the plant in a sunny area and if it is an indoor pomegranate plant, make sure to place it near a window where they can get ample light daily.


Conclusion

Hopefully, this answers your question of why pomegranate leaves turn yellow. Now that you know what could be causing the yellowing of your plants, you can begin taking appropriate measures to bring it in its lush green outlook once again.

Let us know if you have some unique experiences related to the topic by commenting below in the comment section.