skip to main content

Azalea & Rhododendron

Why are my azalea leaves turning reddish/yellow?

Heruga (7a Northern NJ)

7 years ago

I live in northern NJ zone 7a. This azalea has been here at least longer than when we moved in here which was 15 years ago.

Featured Answer

akamainegrower

7 years ago

Leaf coloration is normal in evergreen azaleas like the one in your photos. It generally occurs in late summer through fall and is easy to overlook because a great many leaves remain green. In addition to the natural aging process, leaves can color because the soil becomes too dry or too wet. Sunlight could be playing an indirect role in that it would tend to make this area drier and hotter. The one other thing to check the leaves for is the presence of lacebugs. These pests are common on azaleas grown in direct sun. While none are clearly visible in the photos, check the leaf undersides for the shiny speckles of lacebug nymph excrement. Leaves that have been attacked can also change color as they are shed. All in all, however, the plants look healthy.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

akamainegrower
7 years ago
Azalea leaves naturally turn these colors before they fall. If you have been experiencing very dry weather, this has encouraged the azalea to shed its oldest leaves. This process duplicates the coloration normally seen later in the year.
Heruga (7a Northern NJ)
Original Author
7 years ago
Oh so this is normal for azaleas? It's actually very rainy these days. It's been raining every night even if it's only like an hour. And I forgot to say, this part of the azalea gets full sun. The others in the back are shaded by a tree. And they don't have the red leaves in them. So is it possible the sun could be doing this too?
Related Discussions
My fermosa Azalea leaves are al turnning yellow
Q
Comments (2)
Some of them were planted in October, and some were planted in March. I watered them everyday for the first month or so. If I didn't, they would begin to droop. Now, they get watered 3 times per week with the water sprinkler, and I use a soaker hose on them for about 2 hours once a week.
...See More
Dawn Redwood, leaves turning reddish to yellow
Q
Comments (6)
If you're name is Daniel and you live at the flowershop I believeI gave you that tree. If not, sorry. Yeah metasequoias sometimes drop leaves very beautifully, and sometimes they just start looking haggard and the leaves stay onto into december. There's one here in chicago that's thirty feet tall and still full, just turning ab it yellow, and here it is late november. As far as having it in a pot goes - you're in for a world of hell pretty soon. They grow fast as hell, might want to find a home for it because sooner or later in a year or so it will become rootbound and die. Transplant it to a bigger pot or look into root pruning. I'm serious man, those guys don't like NOT being in the ground. Maybe find somebody with a yard or some land and make sure they can water it and donate it to them? I don't know, but hit me up if you need help, that's my favorite species. I donated a bunch around oakland. take care, j
...See More
why are leaves on my hibiscus plants turning yellow
Q
Comments (3)
might have a lot to do with planting in july in FL ... how were they planted.. and how have you been watering them .. one thing for sure.. they are stressed ... and it must be severe stress .. if leaves turned yellow in 10 days ... take a hand trowel.. and find out if there is any moisture down 3 to 6 inches.. where the roots are ... both on the gob planted.. and in close surrounding soil ....if you are relying on lawn irrigation.. that is probably the problem ... in my MI... i dont plant ANYTHING in july or august... maybe pensicola is different ... how about a pic or two.. so we can see size.. color.. etc ... ken
...See More
Why are my Meyer Lemon tree's leaves turning yellow?
Q
Comments (7)
It has long ago been proven putting rocks in the bottom of a container is a bad idea. Doing so raises the perched water table higher into the container and the tree's root system As to your soil test results, the nitrogen should be high, the phosphorous should test rather low and the potassium should be high. Below I have posted a link showing citrus with a potassium deficiency. https://www.google.com/search?q=potassium+deficiency+citrus&rlz=1C1OKWM_enUS900US900&oq=potassium+deficiency+in+citrus+leaves&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0.27068j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-B AND https://www.yara.us/crop-nutrition/citrus/nutrient-deficiencies/potassium-deficiency-on-mandarin-citrus/
...See More
Heruga (7a Northern NJ)
Original Author
7 years ago
Yes we have a couple of lacebugs on it as this azalea is in full sun but its not too bad. I can always buy ladybugs and have them murder those pests. Well in the pic it looks healthy.. but there are a lot of branch die backs compared to couple years ago. At least one branch dies every 2 weeks... is that normal for an azalea? 2 branches died this week
akamainegrower
7 years ago
Branch dieback is usually caused by phytophthora or boytryosphaeria fungal infections. Hot humid weather followed by heavy or frequent rain tends to activate both, especially in areas where the drainage is less than perfect. Once symptoms appear, there is really no cure except pruning out the dead branches and hoping that the plant can outgrow the infection. In much of the country this continues to be a difficult year for these sorts of infections because of high soil temperatures plus drought plus erratic rainfall stresses.
Heruga (7a Northern NJ)
Original Author
7 years ago
So does that mean the whole azalea will eventually die from the infection? This azalea is doomed...
akamainegrower
7 years ago
It is not necessarily doomed. Branch dieback is not nearly as serious as the collapse of the entire plant as can happen with some root rot diseases.
Mike McGarvey
7 years ago
The yellow leaves I see are older, interior leaves. Perfectly natural for them to turn yellow and fall off beginning now. You plant looks very healthy.

Branch dieback can also be caused by kids, balls, or dogs. Can you see any damage to the branches where the dying begins? Are they being crowded out by other branches? Pics?

Mike
Heruga (7a Northern NJ)
Original Author
7 years ago
There is no damage other than lichens but yes there are like 8 azaleas planted pretty close to each other. I don't currently have pics but I'll take a pic of them when I get the chance and post it here
Heruga (7a Northern NJ)
Original Author
7 years ago
Oh but it is in full sun if that matters

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES What's Wrong With My Plant? Leaves Often Hold the Clues

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Learn how to identify common plant ailments by reading their leaves

FALL GARDENING 11 Trees for Brilliant Fall Color

By Marianne Lipanovich

Give your landscape the quintessential look of autumn with the red, orange and yellow leaves of these standouts

GARDENING GUIDES Great Lakes Gardener's October Checklist

By Barbara Pintozzi

Enjoy nature's fall finery while stockpiling leaves, bringing delicate perennials indoors and grabbing some pumpkins for decorating

SPRING GARDENING 8 Sunny Spring Flowers

Add a burst of yellow to the garden with forsythia, witch hazel, winter jasmine and more

COLORFUL HOMES The Best of My Houzz: 10 Living Rooms With Wall Colors to Love

By Laura Gaskill

Jet black, Meyer lemon yellow, mossy green — these spaces make a statement with bold color

MOST POPULAR 11 Nominees for the ‘She Shed’ Hall of Fame

By Becky Harris

These special sanctuaries let busy women get away from it all without leaving the backyard

GARDENING GUIDES Great Garden Combo: 6 Beautiful Plants for a Shady, Wet Site

Transform a shade garden with moisture-loving golden grasses, textural leaves and a sprinkling of flowers

ENTERTAINING Home Bars Tap Into Guy-Friendly Style

By Mitchell Parker

Belly up to rich wood, sports memorabilia and plenty of beer — pub spaces are letting guys run wild without leaving home

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Eastern Redbud

By Becky Harris

With romantic pink blooms and heart-shape leaves, this ornamental tree has been inspiring affection since the days of the founding fathers

GARDENING GUIDES Great Garden Combo: 3 Wonderful Plants for a Deer-Resistant Screen

Protect your privacy and keep deer at bay with a planting trio that turns a problem garden area into a highlight

Sponsored

Red Pine Landscaping

Industry Leading Landscape Contractors in Franklin County, OH