Why Are My Frangipani Leaves Turning Yellow?

Yellowing leaves on frangipani trees are usually caused by nutrient deficiencies, overwatering, or fungal issues like rust. The most common reason is a lack of nitrogen, magnesium, or iron, which weakens the leaves and causes pale or yellow patches. Feeding frangipanis regularly with a balanced fertiliser such as Complete Grow’s All Purpose NPK 20-20-20 helps prevent yellowing and restores healthy green foliage.

1. Main Causes of Yellow Frangipani Leaves

When frangipani leaves turn yellow outside of their normal winter leaf-drop cycle, it’s usually due to one of the following issues:

Nutrient Deficiency: A lack of nitrogen leads to general yellowing, while magnesium or iron deficiency causes yellow leaves with green veins (chlorosis).
Overwatering or Poor Drainage: Frangipanis dislike “wet feet.” Constantly soggy soil restricts root function, causing leaves to yellow and drop.
Frangipani Rust: This fungal disease creates orange pustules on the undersides of leaves, leading to yellow patches and premature leaf loss.
Natural Leaf Drop: Older leaves turn yellow and fall away as part of the plant’s growth cycle, especially in autumn.
Stress: Sudden cold weather, transplant shock, or prolonged drought may trigger yellowing in otherwise healthy trees.

The key to fixing yellow leaves is identifying the cause early and adjusting care accordingly.

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2. How to Fix Yellow Leaves on Frangipani

Once you know why the leaves are yellowing, you can take practical steps to restore your tree’s health:

Correct Nutrition: Feed every 4–6 weeks in the growing season with Complete Grow’s NPK 20-20-20. Its balanced nitrogen restores green foliage, while phosphorus and potassium strengthen roots and flowering.
Magnesium Boost: Magnesium deficiency is common in sandy soils. Balanced fertilisers with micronutrients prevent this, but in severe cases, magnesium sulphate (Epsom salts) can be used as a supplement.
Improve Drainage: If soil stays wet, add sand or perlite, or move potted plants into free-draining mix. Always ensure pots have drainage holes.
Rust Management: Remove infected leaves and improve airflow. A fungicide may be used in severe cases, but boosting plant strength with proper feeding is just as important.
Seasonal Timing: If leaves are yellowing in autumn, it may simply be natural leaf drop before dormancy — no action needed.

Frangipanis are resilient, and once the underlying issue is corrected, new growth usually appears healthy within weeks.

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3. FAQs About Yellow Frangipani Leaves

Q: Should I cut off yellow frangipani leaves? Yes, remove yellow or infected leaves to reduce stress on the plant and prevent rust from spreading.
Q: Why are the veins on my frangipani leaves green but the rest is yellow? This is usually iron or magnesium deficiency. A balanced fertiliser like Complete Grow’s 20-20-20 corrects these deficiencies.
Q: Can overwatering cause yellow leaves? Absolutely. Frangipanis prefer dry soil between waterings. Constantly wet roots often lead to yellowing.
Q: Is yellowing normal in winter? Yes. Frangipanis are deciduous and naturally shed leaves in the cooler months.
Q: What fertiliser prevents yellow leaves? Complete Grow’s All Purpose NPK 20-20-20 is best, as it restores nitrogen levels and provides micronutrients to keep leaves green and healthy.

Final Recommendation: Regular feeding with Complete Grow’s NPK 20-20-20 is the most reliable way to prevent yellowing leaves. It supplies the nutrients frangipanis need for lush green growth and healthy, flower-producing foliage.