Rose Leaves Turning Yellow? Here Are the Most Common Causes and the Solutions (2024)

The leaves on a rose plant take a back seat to the gorgeous blossoms. But yellowing rose leaves detract from flowers' beauty and can affect the overall health of your plant.

If you notice leaves turning yellow in late autumn, it's most likely part of the plant's natural life cycle. Older leaves, too, might yellow and drop to be replaced by new foliage. But when leaves turn yellow during the growing season, it could be a problem that can be corrected before too much damage is done.

Here's a look at eight of the most common reasons why your rose leaves are turning yellow and what you can do to prevent or fix them.

Underwatering

Allowing roses to get too dry is a common cause of yellowing leaves. Signs include wilting, stunted growth, and flower buds that fail to open and fall off. Foliage turns yellow and brown at the edges, eventually drying up. Container-grown plants are especially susceptible.

Roses need, on average, 1 to 2 inches of water twice a week. Be prepared to adjust frequency during periods of hot, dry, and windy weather which cause soil moisture to evaporate quickly.

Soil type also impacts the amount and frequency of water required. Sandy soil drains faster than clay or loam. Adding a layer of mulch helps retain moisture and reduces weed competition. Amend sandy soil by adding compost annually.

Black Spot

Black spot can cause rose leaves to turn yellow. It's a common fungal infection that manifests as irregular brown and black leaf spots surrounded by yellow halos. Eventually leaves succumb and drop off which can result in defoliation or plant loss if left untreated. Black spot usually appears during cool, wet weather in spring starting first on lower leaves and moving up the plant. Spores spread by wind and water infect other leaves and adjacent plants.

Black spot can't be cured but it can be controlled. Remove and dispose of infected leaves including debris around the plant's base. Sanitize pruners between each cut and water at ground level. Water early in the day to allow for drying before nighttime temperatures drop.

For severe cases, apply a targeted fungicide to prevent spread.

Spider Mites

Spider mites are tiny insects that cause yellowing by sucking the sap and nutrients from leaves and stems. They are difficult to spot, but white webbing on the undersides of leaves is a sign spider mites are present. Foliage develops yellow spots and blotches and eventually fades completely.

A strong spray from a garden hose can knock spider mites off your roses. Be sure to spray the undersides of leaves. Do this early in the day so foliage dries before nightfall. Treat severe infestations with repeat applications of horticultural oil. Avoid non-specific pesticides that harm beneficial garden creatures.

Overwatering

Overwatering can cause rose leaves to yellow. It can be a maintenance error or the result of excessive rainfall or compacted soil. Signs your rose is overwatered are similar to symptoms of underwatering, which can be confusing. Foliage wilts, turns yellow and falls off. Soggy roots lead to root rot which can result in plant loss.

Loamy soil drains well and is ideal for roses. If your soil has heavy clay content, work in compost annually to improve drainage. Allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry out in between watering. Take into consideration rainfall amounts and make adjustments when necessary.

Heat Stress

Heat stress can cause a rose plant's leaves to turn yellow, its flowers to wilt, and sun scorch to turn the leaves brown on the edges.

Roses thrive in plenty of bright sun but grow best at temperatures between 60°F and 70°F. When it's too hot, photosynthesis slows.

In southern growing zones, plant roses where they receive shade during the hottest part of the day. Mulch to keep soil cool. Choose varieties adapted for your USDA hardiness zone.

Nutritional Deficiency

Roses need a slightly acidic soil pH level of 6.5. They tolerate a little variation either way, but too much alkalinity or acidity interferes with the plant's ability to take up iron and nitrogen. These nutrient deficiencies result in chlorosis, which causes a rose's leaf veins to remain green while the rest of the leaf turns yellow.

Test soil pH level before planting roses and make amendments where necessary. If an established rose develops the characteristic yellow leaves with green veins you can try adding an iron-chelated or nitrogen-rich fertilizer to correct the immediate problem.

Too Much Fertilizer

Synthetic fertilizers might boost the performance of your rose in the short term but they are quickly used up. Repeat applications can damage roots and foliage.

Organically rich soil, organic fertilizers, and soil amendments like compost are ideal ways to feed roses. Avoid fertilizing newly planted roses and feed mature plants with an organic or specific rose formula in early spring, midsummer, and autumn.

Not Enough Light

Inadequate sun exposure causes rose leaves to fade and yellow.

Provide 6 to 8 hours of light every day and keep surrounding foliage trimmed to prevent shading. Prune roses in late winter each year to maintain an open center allowing adequate light to reach all parts of the plant.