Why are the peony leaves turning yellow and drying up?

Peonies, known for their spectacular blooms, are a great large flower to grow indoors. When choosing to grow peonies indoors, larger pots are usually chosen to accommodate their fast-growing root systems. Peonies love plenty of sunlight, so indoor potted plants should be placed on a sunny balcony if possible. However, in the process of caring for peonies, sometimes the problem of leaves drying up may occur. This may be due to a variety of factors. Let’s learn in detail why peony leaves turn yellow and dry.

1. Water management

Peonies prefer dry environments and cannot tolerate waterlogging. If the soil in the pot is kept moist for a long time, it will cause difficulty in breathing for the roots, which will cause the leaves to turn yellow. If you find that the new leaves are turning yellow but the old leaves have no obvious changes, and the soil is moist, it may be caused by overwatering.

Solution: Loosen the soil in time, increase ventilation, and control the frequency of watering. Follow the principle of "water thoroughly when dry" to avoid water accumulation.

2. Drought

Although peonies prefer dryness, excessive drought can also cause yellow leaves. Yellow leaves caused by drought usually develop from bottom to top, with older leaves turning yellow first while newer leaves remain normal.

Solution: If you notice that the soil in the pot is too dry, you should add water immediately.

3. Soil pH

Peonies do not grow well in alkaline soil. If the soil is too alkaline, the growth of peony flowers will be affected, and the leaves will appear yellow and green. In severe cases, the leaves will turn white, burn and fall off.

Solution: If the potting soil is too alkaline, acidic fertilizer should be applied to neutralize the soil and restore the appropriate pH.

4. Fertilization issues

Peonies have special requirements for fertilizers. Liquid fertilizers are usually not used, and raw or concentrated fertilizers are even more inappropriate. Improper fertilization will cause yellowing of leaves and drying of leaf tips. Sometimes new leaves may appear thick and shiny with an uneven surface.

Solution: If leaves become scorched after fertilization, rinse the roots with plenty of water to dilute the salt in the soil. If the new leaves are unevenly thick, fertilization should be stopped and wait for natural recovery.

5. Malnutrition

Some people are afraid to fertilize the peony flowers for fear that they will become "clear", which causes the peony leaves to turn yellow due to lack of nutrients. This usually appears on the new leaves first.

Solution: If yellow leaves are caused by insufficient fertilizer, fertilizer should be added immediately. Fermented organic fertilizer can be used for shallow application, or low-concentration water-soluble quick-acting fertilizer can be used for foliar fertilization.

To sum up, the reasons why peony leaves turn yellow and dry and their solutions. If you have peonies at home, you can refer to them.