Have you ever been frustrated by the sudden yellowing of your beautiful calla lily plant? It can be concerning to see your plant’s vibrant, healthy foliage turn a sickly yellow, and you may be wondering what the cause is and how to fix the problem.
In this article, we will cover the symptoms of yellowing in calla lily plants, the causes of the yellowing, preventative measures for calla lily plant health, how to diagnose the underlying issue, and how to treat a nutrient deficiency, too much sun exposure, or a lack of water.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Short Answer
Calla lilies turning yellow can be caused by several factors.
These can range from overwatering, underwatering, or too much sunlight.
It is possible that your plant is not getting enough nitrogen, potassium, or phosphorus, which can cause the leaves to turn yellow.
You may need to adjust the amount of sunlight, water, and fertilizer you are giving your calla lily in order to get it back to its vibrant green.
Symptoms of Yellowing in Calla Lily Plants
The telltale symptom of a calla lily plant in distress is yellowing of the foliage.
The color of the foliage can range from a light yellow to a deep yellow-green.
If the yellowing is only present on a few leaves, the issue likely stems from a lack of water or too much sun exposure.
If the yellowing is more widespread, it is likely due to a nutrient deficiency.
In addition to yellowing of the foliage, calla lily plants in distress will often produce fewer flowers than usual.
This is due to the plants energy being diverted to trying to repair itself instead of producing flowers.
The leaves may also become thinner and more brittle, and the stems may become weak and droopy.
If you notice any of these symptoms in your calla lily plant, it is important to take action right away in order to ensure that the plant survives and thrives.
Identifying and addressing the underlying issue is the best way to keep your calla lily plant healthy and happy.
Causes of Yellowing in Calla Lily Plants
When a calla lily plant turns yellow, it can be a sign of distress.
This can be caused by several factors, including a lack of water, too much sun exposure, or a nutrient deficiency.
A lack of water can occur if the soil around the plant isnt adequately moist, or if the plant isnt receiving regular watering.
Too much sun exposure can cause the leaves of the plant to turn yellow, as can any nutrient deficiencies in the soil.
If the soil is lacking in essential nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, the leaves of the plant may start to yellow and the plant may become stunted.
Additionally, other environmental factors like high temperatures, low humidity, and fungal diseases can cause yellowing in calla lily plants.
Preventative Measures for Calla Lily Plant Health
If you want to keep your calla lily plant healthy and free from yellowing leaves, there are a few preventative measures you can take to ensure its longevity.
First, make sure the soil you are using is well-draining and full of organic matter.
Calla lilies can be quite sensitive to overly wet soil, so be sure to check the moisture levels regularly and water only when the soil is dry to the touch.
Additionally, calla lilies prefer partial sun, so make sure the area you are planting them in has adequate shade.
Finally, you should periodically feed your calla lilies with a balanced fertilizer that contains essential macronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
By providing your calla lilies with the right soil, sun exposure, and nutrition, you can help keep them healthy and vibrant.
Diagnosing the Underlying Issue
If you notice that your calla lily plant is turning yellow, its important to identify and address the underlying issue before it is too late. In order to diagnose the underlying issue causing your calla lily to turn yellow, its important to consider the following potential causes:
– Too much sun: Calla lilies are sensitive to direct sunlight and prefer indirect light. If your plant is getting too much sun, the leaves will start to yellow and the plant will begin to suffer.
– Too little water: Calla lilies require regular watering, especially during the summer months. If the soil is too dry, the leaves will start to yellow and the plant will suffer.
– Nutrient deficiency: Calla lilies require specific nutrients in order to thrive. If the soil in which the plant is growing is lacking in essential nutrients, the leaves will begin to yellow and the plant will suffer.
– Pests: Calla lilies can be susceptible to pests such as aphids, mealy bugs, and spider mites. If your plant is infested with pests, it is important to treat it immediately in order to prevent further damage.
Once you have identified the potential cause, you can take the necessary steps to address the issue and restore your plant to health.
How to Treat a Nutrient Deficiency
If you notice your calla lily plant turning yellow, it is important to identify and address the underlying issue as soon as possible.
One of the possible causes of yellowing calla lily plants is a nutrient deficiency.
In this case, it is important to determine the specific type of deficiency and take the appropriate steps to rectify it.
One way to treat a nutrient deficiency in a calla lily plant is to apply a fertilizer specifically formulated for lilies.
Make sure to follow the directions on the package carefully.
For best results, the fertilizer should be applied in the spring and summer months, when the plant is actively growing.
It is also important to ensure that your calla lily plant is receiving the right amount of water.
Too much or too little water can lead to nutrient deficiencies.
If you are unsure if your calla lily is getting enough water, you can check the soil with a moisture meter.
The ideal moisture content of the soil should be between 20 and 30 percent.
Finally, it is important to make sure that your calla lily plant is receiving the right amount of sunlight.
Too much direct sunlight can cause the leaves to burn and turn yellow, while not enough sunlight can lead to nutrient deficiencies.
A sunny windowsill or a spot in the garden that gets 4-5 hours of direct sunlight a day would be the ideal place to keep your calla lily.
How to Treat Too Much Sun Exposure
If your calla lily plant is turning yellow due to too much sun exposure, there are a few things you can do to make sure your plant gets the right amount of sun.
First, you should make sure the plant is in a location that receives some shade throughout the day.
If your plant is in direct sunlight for too long, it can cause the leaves to scorch and turn yellow.
Additionally, you may consider pruning the plant to reduce the amount of sun it is exposed to.
Make sure to only prune the leaves that are already yellow, as removing healthy green leaves can cause more harm than good.
Finally, you can try providing additional shade for your calla lily plant.
This can be done with a shade cloth, or by simply draping a sheet or blanket over the plant when the sun is at its strongest.
How to Treat a Lack of Water
If a lack of water is the cause of your calla lily plant turning yellow, then the solution is to provide it with the water it needs.
To do this, you should water your calla lily regularly, ensuring that the soil is thoroughly moistened.
It is best to water your calla lily in the morning so that the soil has time to dry out during the day and the plant can take in the necessary nutrients.
You should also try to avoid getting the leaves wet as this can cause fungal problems and further damage to the plant.
In addition to regular watering, you can also set up a drip irrigation system or use a soaker hose to ensure that your calla lily is getting the water it needs.
This can also help to reduce water waste by ensuring that your plant is receiving the right amount of water and not any excess.
Fertilizing your calla lily can also help to keep it healthy and provide it with the nutrients it needs to thrive.
Just be sure to use a balanced fertilizer that is specifically designed for calla lilies and follow the directions on the package.
Final Thoughts
Having a calla lily plant turn yellow can be a worrying sign of distress, but it can be addressed with the right knowledge and preventative measures.
By understanding the symptoms, causes, and preventative measures of yellowing in calla lily plants, you can diagnose the underlying issue and treat it accordingly.
With the right care and attention, you can keep your calla lily plant healthy and happy for years to come.
So don’t wait – take action now to ensure the health of your beautiful calla lily plant.