Camellia Yellow Leaves

Camellia japonica is an acid-loving shrub in the family Theaceae that performs best in acidic, well-drained soil and partial shade. Yellowing leaves are a stress signal rather than a single diagnosis: they can come from mineral lock-up in alkaline soils, poor drainage that damages roots, or insect pressure such as scale. When you respond, prioritize a short diagnostic audit (soil pH, drainage, root check) before treating with fertilizer or pesticides.

Camellias are grown across Zones 3-11, but local soil types and watering regimes change the risk profile: heavy clay and alkaline suburban fill often cause chlorosis, while containers and compacted beds can hold too much water and trigger root rot. Growers who follow an established watering routine and maintain an acidic, loose root zone see faster recovery and fewer repeat yellowing events, and many apply lessons used for other acid-loving shrubs such as azaleas when choosing soil amendments and fertilizers.

Before changing fertilizer or adding iron, confirm the problem. Start with a soil pH test and examine roots for rot. If you need to retune irrigation, our guidance on adjusting water schedules helps avoid overcorrection; for immediate drainage fixes, compare practices in a simple how to fix an overwatered plant flowchart.