Tomato Leaves Turning Yellow — Causes & Fixes
Leaves problem · common pattern reported by gardeners · verify locally
What you'll see
- Lower leaves turn yellow first
- Yellowing spreads upward over a week or two
- Leaves may curl or drop
Most common causes
- Overwatering or poor drainage drowns roots
- Nitrogen deficiency in sandy or heavily cropped soil
- Early blight or septoria leaf spot start as yellow lower leaves
- Root damage from cultivation or transplant shock
How to fix it
- Let soil dry between waterings; improve drainage in pots
- Side-dress with compost or a balanced fertilizer
- Remove and discard yellowed lower leaves to slow disease spread
- Check soil moisture 2-3 in deep before watering
Prevention: Mulch with straw to keep soil moisture even Rotate tomatoes to a new bed each year Water at the base, not on foliage
More Tomato problems
Grow Tomato with confidence
Open the Tomato growing guide → · Planting calendar · Pest & problem diagnoser
ZoneFig content reflects widely published extension-service and gardening guidance. Symptoms and causes are common patterns, not a diagnosis for any individual plant — verify locally and treat conservatively.