Tomato Leaves Turning Yellow?
The four common causes — and how to tell which one you have.
Yellow tomato leaves (chlorosis) most often mean a nitrogen or magnesium deficiency, early blight, or overwatering. The pattern tells you which: even yellowing from the bottom up points to feeding; yellowing with brown target-ring spots points to disease. Snap a photo below for an instant diagnosis and the exact fix.
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The 4 causes, compared
| Cause | How to spot it | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Nitrogen deficiency | Older, lower leaves yellow first, evenly | Feed a balanced tomato fertiliser |
| Early blight | Yellowing with brown target-ring spots | Remove leaves, spray chlorothalonil |
| Overwatering | Whole plant pale, soggy soil | Let soil dry; improve drainage |
| Magnesium deficiency | Yellow between green veins on lower leaves | Epsom-salt foliar spray |
FAQ
- Why are my tomato leaves turning yellow from the bottom up?
- Bottom-up, even yellowing is usually nitrogen deficiency or natural aging. If yellowing comes with brown spots, suspect early blight.
- Should I remove yellow tomato leaves?
- Yes — remove badly yellowed or spotted lower leaves to improve airflow and slow disease spread. Bin them, don't compost diseased leaves.
- Can yellow leaves turn green again?
- Deficiency-related yellowing can green up after feeding; disease damage won't reverse, but new growth will be healthy once treated.
More tomato guides
Tomato curling leavesTomato brown spotsTomato wilting