Crepe myrtles are a popular flowering plant in the south, and they provide a lot of color to the neighborhood. They also happen to be very attractive for bees and butterflies, which is why they’re often planted near homes.

However, sometimes the plant’s leaves can turn yellow. In this blog post, we will look at some reasons for this and what you can do to prevent it from happening.

Why Are My Crepe Myrtle Leaves Turning Yellow?

Your crepe myrtle leaves are yellowing as a result of overwatering, lack of lighting, or stress in the environment.

Let’s now explore the most common causes of yellowing leaves on this plant and how to address them.

Yellowing from Overwatering

One of the most common causes for crepe myrtle leaves turning yellow is overwatering. This usually happens because homeowners are not checking to see if the soil is dry.

The trouble is that crepe myrtles are very sensitive to being overwatered, so it’s important not to water them excessively.

It’s best to only water the crepe myrtle when the top few inches of soil are dry. You can test this by sticking your finger into the soil. If it’s still damp, then you should not water them until they are thirsty again.

Too much water can cause root rot on your crepe myrtle, which can even result at the end of your plant for good! If root rot is present, then you should take action before the situation gets worse and becomes irreversible.

Start by pruning off any dead roots and discarding them away from all plant life (to avoid fungal infection and black myrtle leaves. Next, throw away the old soil and replace it with new, well-draining soil.

Yellowing from Too Little Sunlight

Another common reason why crepe myrtle leaves turn yellow is that they’re not getting enough sunlight. If the plant gets too much shade, then it will start to produce less chlorophyll and may even start dropping leaves.

If this happens, you can encourage your crepe myrtle to get more light by moving it closer to the sun or purchasing a grow light (my favorite on Amazon).

It’s important that no other objects are blocking the sunlight, so make sure there are no buildings or trees in the way.

When positioning your plant, make sure all sides get an equal amount of sunlight. This will stop it from becoming lopsided and turning yellow on just one side.

If the leaves furthest away from the sun are more yellow than the other leaves, then you can be confident that lack of sunlight really is the cause of yellowing.

Yellowing from Environmental Stressors

The final reason why crepe myrtle leaves may turn yellow is because of environmental stressors. This can be caused by pests, drought, cold weather, or something completely random.

For example, cold drafts or strong gusts of wind can cause crepe myrtle leaves to turn yellow. If this is the case, you’ll need to take action right away before more damage occurs.

This could mean moving the plant indoors or covering it with an insulating blanket during the winter months if your plants are outside.

Another issue is transplanting and repotting, which causes stress on the plant. I recommend only repotting when necessary, like if you suspect the plant is suffering from root rot.

Yellowing Crepe Myrtle Leaves FAQs

I will now discuss some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to yellowing leaves on crepe myrtle.

Should I cut yellow leaves off my crepe myrtle?

Yes, prune all yellow leaves away from the plant. This will help your plant focus on growing new leaves instead of trying to recover what is already dying.

Will the yellow leaves on my crepe myrtle spread to other plants?

Only if your crepe myrtle has a fungal infection. In this case, the yellow leaves will spread to surrounding plants. If your plant is yellow due to individual overwatering, then you don’t need to worry about them spreading.

Does the type of water I give to my crepe myrtle matter?

Yes, the type of water you give your crepe myrtle can affect its health. It’s best not to use tap water or other sources that contain high levels of minerals and chemicals. Instead, stick with distilled or filtered water.

Will too little light cause my crepe myrtle to turn yellow?

Yes, lack of sunlight will cause your crepe myrtle to turn yellow. If you plant them in the wrong spot, then it may not get enough light and thus die back or go into shock.

Will too much water cause my crepe myrtle to turn yellow?

Yes, if your crepe myrtle is placed in an area that receives too much water, then it will turn yellow. Crepe myrtles need well-drained soil to thrive.

Will yellow crepe myrtle leaves turn green again?

No, it is unlikely that your crepe myrtle leaves will turn green again. However, the plant should grow new leaves that are healthy and don’t look like they’re sick or dying.

Conclusion

In conclusion, yellowing leaves on crepe myrtles can be caused by overwatering, lack of sunlight, or environmental stress.

It’s important to make sure that you don’t overwater them and they get enough light in the right spot. You should also take steps to protect your plant from any other sources of stress so it can thrive for many years to come.

Thank you for joining me today in learning about yellowing leaves on crepe myrtles! Please feel free to leave any comments or questions in my inbox, and I will get back to you as soon as possible.