Not all cherry laurel species naturally have dark green colored leaves. For example, the new shoots of the Etna variety are initially bronze-colored. The young shoots of the Rotundifolia laurel cherry are always light green and later darken. However, if the leaves of a previously dark green variety turn light green, the cherry laurel suffers from a lack of nutrients in many cases.

Chlorosis - the yellowing disease

The light green color of the foliage indicates a lack of iron, manganese or magnesium. These substances are often present in sufficient quantities in the soil, but cannot be absorbed by the plant. This can be caused by:

  • waterlogging
  • dryness
  • Soil compaction on heavy soils
  • Lack of aeration of the soil
  • Long periods of frost in the winter months

The undesired light green coloring of the leaves is primarily seen on the freshly sprouted leaves.

These measures can help:

  • Cut out the lawn in the area of the cherry laurel hedge at least one meter wide and keep the ground open.
  • Loosen the soil with a spade or digging fork.
  • Work coarse sand into heavy soil.
  • Improve soil with mature compost, settled manure or horn shavings (€32.93).
  • Mulch the bed under the hedge with bark mulch or wood chips.

Mulching allows the incorporated slow-release fertilizer to slowly decompose. In addition, the mulch layer regulates the moisture content of the soil and keeps the subsoil warm.

Leaf discoloration due to too much lime in the soil

Another reason for the light green foliage of the laurel cherry can be soil that is too calcareous, to which the wood reacts with symptoms of deficiency. The optimal pH value of the garden soil is between 5 and 7.5. To determine whether this is the cause of the yellowing of the leaves, you can easily check the pH yourself with dipsticks from the garden store or pharmacy.

If the pH value is not in the ideal range, it is sufficient to improve the soil in the home garden by mixing in compost. In order to shift the pH value into the acidic range, it is also advisable to mulch the subsoil.

tips and tricks

If the light green foliage continues to change color and turn yellow, you should cut off the leaves. The foliage then no longer regenerates and costs the plant unnecessary strength. The pruning, on the other hand, stimulates strong new growth, so that the laurel cherry recovers quickly.

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Trees