Yellow Leaves in Tomato
Tomatoes are the most popular home-grown vegetable, producing fruit from small cherry types to large beefsteaks
Tomato care requirements
These care conditions are most relevant to yellow leaves in Tomato. Check each one as a potential cause.
Symptoms to look for in Tomato
Yellowing usually starts on lower, older leaves first and moves upward if the cause persists, sometimes with brown spotting alongside if disease is involved.
Common causes in Tomato
Most commonly inconsistent watering or nutrient deficiency — tomatoes need consistent moisture and heavy feeding once fruiting begins, and lower leaf yellowing is often the plant redirecting nutrients to developing fruit when feed is insufficient.
How to diagnose yellow leaves in Tomato
Check soil moisture first. Wet soil + yellow lower leaves = overwatering. Dry soil = underwatering. Yellowing between veins = nutrient deficiency.
How to treat yellow leaves in Tomato
Resume a high-potassium feed once fruiting begins, and check that watering is consistent rather than alternating between dry and soaked soil.
Preventing yellow leaves in Tomato
Water deeply and consistently (2–5cm per week) and feed with a high-potassium fertiliser once fruiting starts to prevent nutrient-deficiency yellowing.