yellow leaves on Myrtus Communis
Quick answer
If your Myrtus Communis has yellow leaves, the most likely cause is: Myrtus communis is classed as a Mild-Temperate indoor bonsai that depends on a cool winter rest of six to eight weeks, so when it is kept year-round in a warm centrally heated apartment the shrub never gets the cold break it expects and the evergreen myrtle leaves begin to yellow and drop because the plant cannot complete its normal winter dormancy.
Start here:
- 1. Move the indoor myrtle into a bright but unheated room, basement, unheated greenhouse, or insulated cold frame for the winter so it can experience night temperatures of 30° to 35° F (10° to 13° C) and complete its cool rest.
- 2. Mulch the pot surface with sawdust, leaves, bark or coarse peat during this cool rest so the root ball stays evenly cool, and keep the plant out of direct sunlight so the foliage is not forced into a flush of vulnerable new growth midwinter.
Why Myrtus Communis gets yellow leaves
Myrtus Communis
Myrtus communis is classed as a Mild-Temperate indoor bonsai that depends on a cool winter rest of six to eight weeks, so when it is kept year-round in a warm centrally heated apartment the shrub never gets the cold break it expects and the evergreen myrtle leaves begin to yellow and drop because the plant cannot complete its normal winter dormancy.
How to reverse yellow leaves on Myrtus Communis
- 1
Move the indoor myrtle into a bright but unheated room, basement, unheated greenhouse, or insulated cold frame for the winter so it can experience night temperatures of 30° to 35° F (10° to 13° C) and complete its cool rest.
- 2
Mulch the pot surface with sawdust, leaves, bark or coarse peat during this cool rest so the root ball stays evenly cool, and keep the plant out of direct sunlight so the foliage is not forced into a flush of vulnerable new growth midwinter.
Keep yellow leaves off this Myrtus Communis
Plan a six to eight week cool dormancy at 30° to 35° F night temperatures every winter for indoor Myrtus communis bonsai so the Mediterranean shrub does not yellow and shed its leaves when kept permanently in a warm living space.