Parsley Plant Turning Yellow: How to Stop it?
Nothing feels greater than making soup at home and then garnishing it with some fresh parsley straight from your garden!
If the sound of that doesn’t make your mouth water, then we can’t be friends. Jokes apart, growing parsley is great but what to do when you find your Parsley plant turning yellow?
Luckily, this problem can be solved. We’ll show you the major factors that play a role in maintaining the health of your parsley plant. Moreover, we’ll look at some common parsley plant diseases and finish off with some frequently asked questions.
Sounds fun? Then let us guide you through easy and simple details.
| Cause | Symptoms | Possible Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Overwatering | – Yellowing of leaves | – Allow the soil to dry out between watering |
| – Wilting and root rot | – Adjust watering schedule to prevent waterlogging | |
| Lack of sunlight | – Pale yellow leaves | – Move the plant to a sunnier location |
| – Weak and leggy growth | – Provide adequate sunlight for at least 6-8 hours a day | |
| Nutrient deficiency | – Yellowing of leaves | – Apply balanced fertilizer with adequate nutrients |
| – Stunted growth | – Ensure proper soil pH for parsley (around 6-7) | |
| Pests | – Yellowing and curling | – Treat with organic or chemical pest control methods |
| of leaves | – Remove affected leaves or plant parts | |
| Disease | – Yellowing and wilting | – Use disease-resistant parsley varieties |
| of leaves | – Avoid overcrowding and provide good air circulation | |
| Environmental stress | – Yellowing and drooping | – Protect parsley from extreme temperatures and drafts |
| of leaves | – Maintain consistent humidity levels |
Why is your Parsley plant turning yellow?
Now whenever we find our plant leaves turning yellow or brittle, we assume that the plant needs more sunlight or more water. Now obviously this might be true, but more often than not, the problem lies deeper.
You see, parsley plant leaves turning yellow could be because of a number of reasons. Many a time, you may leave it out in the harsh sun for too long. Since parsley is a herb, it doesn’t like direct sunlight.
Or, it may be there might be a disease that is affecting your parsley plant. Well whatever the reason may be, we have the solution for you.
So let’s go through the problems one by one. That way, you can cross out the ones which may not be applicable to you and finally pinpoint the issue.
Let’s get to work folks.
Factor 1: Sunlight
If you’re thinking why in the world we’re teaching you to grade 3 science again, wait a minute! We all know that sunlight plays a huge factor when it comes to the growth of your plant.
But do you know which type of sunlight is best for which plants? If the answer is no, then you might be giving your plants too little or too much sun.
Both of these situations could lead to your plants turning yellow and slowly dying. Let’s get a look at both of them in detail.
Too much sun
Like we’ve previously mentioned before, parsley is quite a sensitive plant. So other than minding your words around it, do make sure that it’s not too exposed to the elements.
You see, if you leave your parsley plant out in the balcony while the sun is scorching, it could cause the leaves to burn. Here’s how you can solve this issue.
#How to solve it?
If you grow parsley indoors, then things are pretty basic. Just try moving your potted parsley from the balcony or windowsill to somewhere a bit more protected.
A spot where the plant receives fresh air and indirect sunlight would be perfect. However, if you are growing parsley in your garden, you may want to build protection over it.
That way, it will stay sheltered from the mid-afternoon scorching sun.
Too little sun
Now when we say indirect sunlight, we mean a well-lit corner which still stays pretty cool.
So if you shift your plant to the darkest corner of your room, that is most certainly not going to work well.
#How to solve it?
Whenever you relocate your plant, always keep it under observation for 1-2 weeks. If you see that its condition has not improved then that environment may not be suitable for them.
Moreover, it could also be that you misdiagnosed your plant, and it may be an entirely different reason which is to blame.
Factor 2: Soil
Apart from sunlight, the type of soil you grow your plant in can have an impact on the color of its leaves.
You see, the soil needs to be of good quality and also be packed with nutrients. If you skimp on any one factor, the results will show on your parsley plant.
Soil quality isn’t optimal
Whenever you want to make sure that your plant is healthy, always check the quality of the soil. We all know that plant roots absorb nutrients from the soil.
When these nutrients get depleted, they need to be replenished through fertilizers.
If you notice that your plant growth is suddenly stunted, although there are no external factors involved then it may be best to give your roots a meal.
#How to solve it?
Avoid overwatering your plants. We’ll come to this topic later but giving too much water to plants is super detrimental for their health. This way, the nutrients in the soil wash away.
So keep watering to a minimum.
If your plant is grown in a garden, check if there is a growth of weed around it. Weeds often grow around plants and force them to compete with nutrients.
In such a situation, your parsley plant might face a nutrient deficiency. In case you have a potted plant, then mix compost with the soil after every few months.
You could also opt for store-bought fertilizers. These show fast results and work pretty great too.
The soil density isn’t optimal
Parsley has a taproot system. This type of root grows deep into the soil to soak up nutrients from it. But if the texture of the soil is improper, it may hinder this ability of the roots.
As a result, the roots will be unable to penetrate through the soil and start turning yellow. This mainly occurs if you grow your plants in clay soil.
Although this is a pesky problem, it’s not a tough nut to crack. Let’s see how we can solve this issue.
#How to solve it?
First and foremost, try to avoid using clay soil for gardening purposes. However, if you must do so then here are some tips.
If you mix additives to clay soil, you can get rid of its texture and make it more porous. When the porosity of the soil increases, the roots will be able to absorb nutrients much more easily.
So try including some sand, old dried up leaves, and some good old compost and you’ll be able to whip up the perfect concoction.
Factor 3: Water
Water, one of the determiners of life, is essential for plants too. Again, it may seem like we’re emphasizing way too much on the basics.
But often it’s the basics where we falter at and ignore. If you want to build a strong and beautiful plant, the best thing you can do is to ensure that these basics are met.
When you water your plant, moderation is the key. It’s the same thing if you consider humans. If we drink too little water, we run into the risk of being dehydrated.
However, if we drink way too much water then we can get water poisoning or simply super sick.
Let’s put this analogy to work and take a look at things from our green buddy’s perspective.
Too little water
If your routine is a bit hectic, then it’s understandable that sometimes watering your plants can take a back seat.
However, make sure that you don’t go too many days without watering your plant. This may make your plant lose health and die off.
Don’t worry, there are ways that you can squeeze this into your routine.
#How to solve it?
If you find it difficult to make a routine to water your plants, then set an alarm on your phone. This is the simplest and most effective way to give you a reminder.
Just don’t procrastinate once you hear that alarm.
Too much water
Just like watering too less can affect the health of your plant, the same applies when you overwater your plant.
Like we previously mentioned before, overwatering can lead to washing away nutrients. This creates additional work for you since you have to replenish it more frequently.
Moreover, overwatering can even cause your plant to die off. This is because it leads to waterlogging. When water pools near the roots and stays that way, it leads to rotting.
This rotting can cause the leaves turning yellow.
#How to solve it?
If you live in an area that rains way too much, then watering your plants additionally may not be necessary.
So how do you assess whether the plant needs a drizzle? A good way to check if your plant needs watering is to stick your finger in the soil. If you find the soil to be moist, then skip watering for that day.
Don’t just the topsoil. Stick your finger about one inch. Sometimes the topsoil may be wet but inside underneath it may be dry. If that’s the case, then a light watering may be needed.
Factor 4: Diseases
Last but not the least, let’s touch upon plant diseases. If you are giving your parsley plant enough water and sunlight, it might still not be enough.
In such situations, the plant may be infected with a plant disease. This might be the reason behind your curly parsley plant turning yellow.
But there’s no reason to be bothered by this. If you take action fast enough, you’ll be able to rescue your parsley plant in time.
Let’s see how you can tackle this problem.
Fungus
Fungal growth on plants often causes them to die off. There are different types of fungal diseases that could affect your parsley plant. Here are a few.
Leaf spot fungus
This disease causes leaves to turn yellow and brown spots to form on them. Now the main reason leaf spot fungus occurs is excess humidity and lack of air circulation.
If you store your parsley plant in a dingy and darkroom, this may be the reason.
Stemphylium fungus
This is another type of fungus that can cause the health of your parsley plant to deteriorate.
This fungus would originally affect garlic, leek, and asparagus. As it evolved, it started affecting parsley plants as well.
This fungus too grows optimal in humid conditions. If the leaves of your parsley plant are always wet, then it is a perfect breeding ground for this kind of fungus to grow.
#How to solve it?
The key to killing any kind of fungus is to tamper with its breeding conditions. Since fungus grows best in humid conditions, try to avoid keeping your plant damp.
You can do this by watering the soil instead of the leaves. Moreover, avoid water sprays that mist on the leaves. This may leave a wet residue behind on the leaves.
Also, try giving the parsley plant enough sunlight. The best time for the plant to receive sunlight is early morning light.
This isn’t too harsh to damage the plant leaves, but it’s potent enough to dry off the water from the leaves.
Blight
Blight is caused by infection by bacteria or fungus which attack tissues of the plants.
This causes the parsley plants to turn yellow and wither and dry off. If you find your parsley plant affected with blight, it’s best that you trim off the leaves which are yellow.
If you do this in time, you might be able to save the other stems and ultimately save the plant.
Related Questions
Question: Does parsley regrow after cutting?
Answer: Yes. Parsley regrows even after you cut the stems through all seasons. Just make sure that you never cut more than 1/3rds of the plant at once.
Question: How many times can you harvest parsley?
Answer: Since the parsley plant grows pretty fast, it is harvested throughout the year. Although it is grown annually, it has no specific harvest time. But keep in mind that parsley can’t handle extreme frost or heat. So it may die off during this season.
Question: How long does parsley plant live?
Answer: Parsley plants are biennial, which means that they live for roughly two years. They mostly produce flowers when the second growing season ends. However, this may vary a bit depending on the breed and climate condition.
Q: Why are the leaves of my parsley plant turning yellow?
A: There are several possible reasons for parsley leaves turning yellow, including overwatering, underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, disease or pest infestation, and environmental stress.
Q: How can I determine if my parsley plant is being overwatered or underwatered?
A: Overwatered parsley plants may have yellowing leaves that are wilted, with a drooping appearance and may show signs of root rot. Underwatered parsley plants may have dry, yellowing leaves that are crispy to the touch and may show signs of wilting.
Q: How do I properly water my parsley plant to prevent yellowing leaves?
A: Parsley plants prefer consistently moist but not waterlogged soil. Water your parsley plant when the top inch of soil feels slightly dry to the touch, and ensure that the pot or planting area has good drainage to prevent water from sitting around the roots.
Q: What nutrient deficiencies can cause parsley leaves to turn yellow?
A: Parsley plants require adequate amounts of nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and other micronutrients for healthy growth. A deficiency in any of these nutrients can cause the leaves to turn yellow. A soil test can help determine if there is a nutrient deficiency, and you can adjust your fertilization accordingly.
Q: How can I prevent diseases and pests from causing yellowing leaves on my parsley plant?
A: Keeping your parsley plant healthy by providing proper watering, sunlight, and nutrition can help prevent diseases and pests. Additionally, practicing good garden hygiene by removing dead or yellowing leaves, avoiding overcrowding, and keeping the growing area clean can help prevent infestations.
Q: Can environmental stress cause parsley leaves to turn yellow?
A: Yes, parsley plants can show signs of yellowing leaves due to environmental stress, such as extreme temperatures, high humidity, or excessive sunlight. Providing adequate shade, protecting the plant from harsh weather conditions, and maintaining optimal growing conditions can help prevent environmental stress.
Q: Should I prune my parsley plant if the leaves are turning yellow?
A: Yes, pruning yellowing leaves from your parsley plant can help promote healthy growth and prevent the spread of disease or infestation. Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to remove the affected leaves, and avoid leaving behind any dead or decaying plant material.
Q: Can I still use parsley leaves that have turned yellow?
A: Yellowing parsley leaves are generally not as flavorful or nutritious as healthy green leaves. However, if the yellowing is limited to a few leaves and the rest of the plant looks healthy, you can still use the yellow leaves for culinary purposes. Just be sure to wash them thoroughly before use.
Conclusion
We hope this post gives you a clear picture of parsley plant turning yellow. Just remember, there can be more than one cause for this issue.
If you have any more doubts on this topic, do let us know and we’d love to connect with you.
Until then, stay safe and happy!
