How to Fix Yellow Leaves on Lime Trees

Yellow leaves on lime trees are usually caused by watering issues, nutrient deficiencies, pests, or seasonal changes. Correcting the cause quickly restores healthy green foliage and keeps the tree productive. Follow this guide to diagnose and fix yellowing leaves on lime trees in Australia.

Main Causes of Yellow Leaves

Overwatering: Consistently soggy soil suffocates roots and causes leaf yellowing. Common in pots without good drainage.
Underwatering: Drought stress leads to limp, yellow leaves that eventually drop.
Nutrient deficiencies:
- Nitrogen: Whole leaves pale evenly.
- Magnesium: Interveinal yellowing on older leaves (green veins with yellow tissue).
- Iron: New leaves pale with green veins (iron chlorosis).
Pests: Aphids, scale, and mites weaken growth and cause mottled yellowing.
Cold stress: In winter, leaves may yellow and drop naturally in cooler regions.

Quick tell: Even yellow → nitrogen. Green veins with yellow tissue → magnesium or iron. Patchy/mottled yellowing → pests or disease.

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How to Fix Yellowing Lime Tree Leaves

Check watering: Follow a deep wet–dry rhythm. Soak roots fully, then allow the top 3–4 cm of soil to dry before watering again. Empty saucers under pots.
Improve drainage: Use free-draining soil mixes, pot feet, or raised beds to prevent waterlogging.
Feed consistently: Restart a fertilising program:

• CompleteGrow NPK 20-20-20 every 4–6 weeks in-ground or 2–3 weeks in pots to supply balanced nutrition.

• Rotate to Advanced Formula NPK 4-18-38 + Calcium & Magnesium during fruiting to prevent deficiencies and support leaf strength.
Add Cal-Mag: If yellowing shows green veins, supplement with calcium and magnesium to restore chlorophyll production.
Inspect for pests: Look under leaves for scale, mites, or aphids. Treat early with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap.
Protect in winter: In cool climates, move pots against a wall or under cover to reduce cold-induced yellowing.

Pro tip: Yellow leaves already damaged won’t turn green again, but new growth should emerge healthy once the issue is fixed.

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FAQs: Lime Tree Yellow Leaves

Should I remove yellow leaves from my lime tree?
Yes—once a leaf is mostly yellow it won’t recover. Remove it to tidy the plant and reduce pest harbourage.

What fertiliser fixes yellow lime leaves?
NPK 20-20-20 corrects general nitrogen deficiency, while
4-18-38 + CaMg helps resolve magnesium and calcium-related chlorosis.

Why are my new lime leaves yellow?
Likely an iron or magnesium uptake issue, often caused by high pH or poor drainage. Flush salts, check soil mix, and supplement with Cal-Mag.

Can cold weather turn lime leaves yellow?
Yes—below 10 °C limes may yellow and drop older leaves. Protect with frost cloths or move pots to warmer spots.

How long until new growth looks green again?
Within 2–4 weeks of consistent feeding and corrected watering, new shoots should appear deep green.