Rhubarb Leaves Turning Yellow: Explanation and Remedy


Every plant has its favorite environment. And if they don’t get that they start throwing tantrums. One example would be of rhubarb leaves turning yellow.

It’s a way of your plant signaling you that something is wrong. And it’s your job to notice it and bring about a change.

So, what is the main cause for rhubarb leaves turning yellow and how can you solve the issue?

Well, there are several different reasons for this. And the solution for each of these problems is different as well. So why don’t we take a look at them?

Photo of red rhubarb plant
Photo by Jimcloughlin

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Reasons and Solution for Rhubarb Leaves Turning Yellow

There are a number of reasons behind yellow rhubarb leaves. And each problem has a unique solution.

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However, before jumping into the solution you must understand why the leaves are turning yellow. That way you’ll be able to treat the plant properly.

Now, before we start, let us warn you that there are a lot of reasons for this problem. So, let’s go through them one by one while looking at their solutions. 

Are you ready? If it’s a yes then let’s start.

Reason 1: Too Much Exposure to Heat

One of the prime reasons for the yellow or brown leaves of your plants might be heat. You see, the rhubarb leaves grow best in cold places.

To be precise, the rhubarb plants can only survive below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

So, if you live in a hot and humid place you might have to take drastic measures. Otherwise, your poor plant will turn yellow and then die.

And all your hard work will go down the drain. No one wants that now, do they?

So, it’s best to take action before it’s too late. To know what you have to do in this scenario keep on reading.

Solution: How to Control Heat Exposure?

Now if heat is the main problem, then rest assured. That’s because the solution is super easy.

You can simply move the plant to a place with plenty of shade. That way they won’t come in direct contact with the sun.

Or you can invest in a screen that’ll provide good afternoon shade for your plants.

And if you feel like splurging a little you can buy a roll-up blind. This will work best because it’ll provide filtered sunlight.

Thus, your plants won’t die due to overheating. Still didn’t solve the issue?

Then the reason behind yellow leaves might be different. So, let’s take a look at the other reasons and their solutions.

Reason 2: Irregular Water Supply

After fixing the temperature issue if you still see yellow rhubarb leaves then it’s probably because of water. You see, a little ignorance while watering the plants can prove to be quite harmful.

At the end of the day, every plant requires water to grow and stay healthy. And if there is a deviation in that crucial factor the plants start to wither away.

So, how do you fix this problem? Stay tuned to unlock the answer.

Solution: How to Ensure the Proper Amount of Water Intake?

The best solution to solve this problem is to make a schedule. Yes, a well-planned time map will remind you to water the plant regularly.

Now, the best part is this has to be done once a day. Thus, you can tune it up with your work schedule.

But if the issue is too serious you can use a liquid fertilizer. This helps boost the water supply in the soil.

Reason 3: Bad Drainage System

Now, while the rhubarb plants may suffer from too little water it can also suffer from high dosage. So, you need to ensure water doesn’t stay behind to cause trouble.

That’s why it’s crucial to fix the drainage system. You see if you have a bad drainage system the excess water stays locked up in the pot.

And that causes the rhubarb leaves to turn yellow. So, it’s important to fix the drainage system.

Solution: How to Ensure a Proper Drainage System?

In order to fix the drainage system, you can install a garden drainage system. This makes the whole drainage system less painful for you.

That means you won’t have to worry about taking out the excess water. The drainage system will take care of it for you.

Or you can plant some water-loving plants nearby. They’ll soak up the extra water which could have become the root of your concern. Yellowing leaves are definitely not what you’d welcome today. 

Reason 4: Fungi Attack

One of the most common reasons for yellow rhubarb leaves is a fungus. These tiny pests like to infiltrate the plants and make them their home.

Now, they can’t leave in peace. They always have a side effect. And for the rhubarb leaves the side effect is turning yellow.

On a more important note, it’s crucial to dispose of the fungus from the leaves. Otherwise, the entire plant will be gobbled up by fungi and eventually die.

And no one wants that to happen. So, let’s look at ways you can stop this from happening.

Solution: How to Remove Fungus from Rhubarb Leaves?

So, to remove fungus from rhubarb leaves you need to spray them with fungicides. They’ll get the job done in no time. And the best part is there are a lot of varieties.

Thus you can go online and choose from the endless option and pick the best one that suits you.

However, if that’s not a feasible option then you can make a spray using baking soda and water. They remove fungi from plants just as easily as any other fungicide.

Final Words

Well, that’s all the reasons for rhubarb leaves turning yellow along with their solution. We hope this helped you out a bit and you’re not as clueless as before.

Now that you know the core issues you can start tackling the problem. We hope you see the changes you were hoping for. Best of luck!

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Celina Nance

It’s been a life-long wish of Celina Nance to have a lawn full of colorful flower beds. But living in Arizona city, that seems kind of impossible. But Celina Nance didn’t stop and created a full-form balcony garden instead. And he often shares stuff that he does/solves/innovates throughout the journey.

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