Why Are My Meyer Lemon Tree Leaves Turning Yellow?

Yellow leaves on a Meyer lemon tree are almost always a sign of nutrient imbalance, watering stress, or root-related issues. In most home gardens and potted trees, the primary cause is insufficient potassium and micronutrients, especially iron and magnesium, which are essential for chlorophyll production and leaf colour.

Meyer lemons are heavy-feeding citrus trees. When nutrients are missing or unavailable, older leaves typically turn pale yellow first, followed by overall canopy yellowing, leaf curl, and eventually leaf drop. This is especially common during active growth, flowering, and fruit development.

The Most Common Causes of Yellowing Meyer Lemon Leaves

• Potassium deficiency: Causes dull, yellowing leaves and weak flowering. Very common in fruiting citrus.
• Iron deficiency: New leaves turn yellow while veins remain green, often worse in pots or alkaline soils.
• Magnesium deficiency: Yellowing between leaf veins, especially on older foliage.
• Overwatering or poor drainage: Roots lose oxygen, reducing nutrient uptake even if fertiliser is present.
• Underfeeding: Citrus require regular feeding; general-purpose fertilisers are usually inadequate.

The most reliable fix is to use a citrus-specific fertiliser with a potassium-rich ratio and chelated trace elements. We directly recommend CompleteGrow Citrus Fertiliser (NPK 6-2-12) , formulated specifically to correct yellowing leaves, support flowering, and restore healthy green growth in Meyer lemon trees.