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Nutrient deficiency

Also known as Chlorosis, Hunger signs

DiseaseHarmful
Iron chlorosis: yellow young rose leaves with green veins Photo: Natalka Ukraine · CC BY 4.0

In short

A nutrient deficiency occurs when a plant cannot get enough of an essential element, either because the mix is exhausted or because roots cannot take it up. Where symptoms appear first is a useful clue: mobile nutrients show on older leaves, immobile ones on new growth. Symptoms overlap with many other problems, so check watering and roots before adding fertiliser.

How it looks

Shortages of mobile nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium) show first on older, lower leaves: nitrogen shortage yellows the lower leaves and gives slow, stunted growth; phosphorus shortage can turn older leaves and their margins purplish; potassium shortage causes yellowing then browning that starts at the leaf tip and runs along the edges. Immobile nutrients such as calcium show first on young leaves: calcium shortage causes poorly expanded, curled new leaves with dead patches.

Signs

Pale or yellow leaves, with the pattern depending on the nutrient; purple tints; brown leaf margins; stunted, weak growth and poor flowering.

What favours it

Plants left in the same old potting mix for a long time without feeding; soilless mixes with no fertiliser added; and root damage from overwatering or drought, which stops uptake even when nutrients are present. Calcium problems are often triggered by drought rather than a true shortage in the mix.

Prevention

  • Feed during active growth with a balanced fertiliser at the label rate, less in slow-growing periods.
  • Repot into fresh potting mix every year or two, or when the mix has broken down.
  • Keep roots healthy with correct watering and drainage.

Treatment

Start with the first step and move down only if the problem persists.

  1. Check watering, drainage and roots first — damaged roots cause deficiency-like symptoms.
  2. Apply a balanced fertiliser at the recommended rate and watch new growth; older yellow leaves usually do not turn green again.
  3. For a specific deficiency (for example iron or magnesium), use a product supplying that element and follow the product label.
  4. For persistent problems, test the growing medium or plant tissue before adding more fertiliser.

Pros and cons

Cons

  • Symptoms resemble viruses, root problems and natural leaf ageing, so misdiagnosis is common.
  • Adding fertiliser to an unhealthy root system can cause salt burn.

Look-alikes

Overwatering
Waterlogged plants yellow while the mix is wet and roots are dark and mushy.
Mosaic viruses
Viral mottling is irregular, often with distortion, and does not respond to feeding.
Etiolation
Low light causes pale, stretched growth with long gaps between leaves.
Natural leaf ageing
One old lower leaf yellowing now and then while new growth is healthy is normal.

Affected plants

Any potted plant, especially fast growers kept for a long time in old, unfed mix.

Sources

  1. Watch Out for These Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms — UConn Home & Garden Education
  2. Houseplant Diseases & Disorders — Clemson HGIC
  3. Houseplant Problems — UC Statewide IPM Program
  4. How to help a poorly houseplant — RHS

Written in our own words from these sources. Check a product label before using any treatment.