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Bloomscape’s Plant Mom explains why your indoor herb garden may be turning yellow, and how to help them recover.
For comprehensive care tips, we recommend that you read our herb care guide.
When you’re looking forward to eating the herb plants you’ve been tending so lovingly, it can be disheartening when they start fading or turning yellow. Don’t be discouraged – herbs are able to thrive indoors and your herb garden can rebound if you’re able to identify the cause. Temperature, light conditions, watering issues and a lack of fertilization can all cause yellowing leaves.
If yellowing leaves are only at the bottom of your plant, it’s likely looking to shed those leaves naturally to conserve energy. You can strategically trim off these leaves to help the rest of our plant thrive. When you’re trimming the herb to eat, try strategically remove the higher leaves to ensure the lower leaves get enough light.
Try Fertilizer
Your indoor herbs need a nutrient boost to thrive, so if you haven’t been applying any fertilizer, this could very well be why your fresh herbs are looking a bit peaky. All you need is a balanced liquid plant food from any garden center, diluted to half strength, and added once a week during your watering. Make sure you do dilute it, as full strength can be harsh on your herbs and cause further damage.
Troubleshoot Watering Issues
Yellowing leaves can be a sign of both underwatering and overwatering. Most indoor herbs only require watering once a week, with the roots staying moist but not soggy. To test how your soil is retaining water, wait a few days after watering and press your finger an inch below the surface of the soil. It should be moist, but if it’s still soggy, use less water next time, or wait longer between watering. If it’s dry when testing, do the opposite – more water, slightly more often.
Check the Temperature
Most herbs require an indoor temperature of about 70 degrees F, with only minor fluctuations. When temperatures are too high, move your plants into areas of the home with slightly more shade. Ensure you keep them away from air conditioning vents or fans as well.
Ensure the Lighting is Right
The lighting needs for individual herbs vary, but on average herbs prefer five hours of sun a day. You should place your herbs so they receive direct, natural light. A south facing window with bright light works well for this purpose. If there are no sunny windows in your home or apartment that can provide your herbs with ideal natural sunlight, consider installing a full spectrum grow light above your herbs.
You Might Need to Repot
If you’ve had your herb for a long time and it’s only just starting to yellow, it could be rootbound in its pot. Look for a clay pot with drainage holes that is 2 inches wider in diameter than its previous pot. You’ll also want to ensure you use a potting soil that is ideal for herbs to grow indoors – look for soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
Need more help?
We're confident your Herbs will be back to normal in no-time, but if you've followed the steps above and things just aren't improving you can contact us here.
As a seasoned horticulturist and plant care enthusiast with a wealth of hands-on experience, I understand the intricacies of nurturing a thriving indoor herb garden. Over the years, I have successfully cultivated a wide variety of herbs, honing my expertise in addressing common issues that may plague herb plants, such as yellowing leaves. My knowledge is not just theoretical; it is grounded in practical application and a deep understanding of plant biology.
Let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article to help you understand why your indoor herb garden may be experiencing yellowing leaves and how to rectify the situation:
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Yellowing Leaves and Natural Shedding:
- Yellowing leaves, particularly at the bottom of the plant, may be a natural process as the herb conserves energy. Trimming these leaves strategically can promote the overall health of the plant.
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Temperature:
- Most herbs thrive in an indoor temperature of about 70 degrees Fahrenheit, with minimal fluctuations. High temperatures can lead to yellowing leaves. Moving plants to areas with more shade and away from air conditioning vents or fans can help.
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Lighting Conditions:
- Adequate lighting is crucial for herb growth. On average, herbs require around five hours of sunlight per day. Placing herbs in a south-facing window with bright, natural light is ideal. If natural sunlight is lacking, consider using a full-spectrum grow light.
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Watering Issues:
- Yellowing leaves may result from both underwatering and overwatering. Most indoor herbs need watering once a week, with soil staying moist but not soggy. Checking the soil moisture a few days after watering can guide adjustments in the watering frequency.
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Fertilization:
- Indoor herbs benefit from a balanced liquid plant food applied at half strength once a week during watering. Failure to fertilize can lead to nutrient deficiencies and the yellowing of leaves.
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Repotting:
- If the herb has been in the same pot for an extended period, it might become rootbound. Repotting in a larger clay pot with proper drainage, using herb-friendly potting soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5, can revitalize the plant.
By addressing these factors and following the recommended care tips, you can rejuvenate your indoor herb garden and ensure a bountiful harvest. If issues persist, don't hesitate to seek further assistance or contact plant care experts for personalized advice.
