Tibouchina, also known as Princess Flower and Glory Bush, is a sub-tropical evergreen plant that can be grown indoors or outdoors. One of the most common questions regarding this lovely plant is ‘why are my tibouchina leaves turning yellow and dropping?’. The answer most often is the environment where the plant is growing.
Tibouchinas are finicky and its growing requirements must be met or the plant will develop yellow leaves followed by leaf drop. The plant is beautiful and will grow in almost any zone as long as it’s kept the perfect temperature and given just the right amount of water.
Why Is My Tibouchina Leaves Turning Yellow And Dropping?
This is a common problem and the main reason you don’t see more of this lovely shrub. Tibouchina has precise requirements and sometimes it’s difficult to meet these requirements.
The plant hates drafts and it hates temperature changes. If the plant is in an outdoor location that is not shielded from the wind, it will develop yellow leaves (sometimes the tips will also turn brown) that will soon begin to fall off the plant.
Tibouchina grown indoors must be kept away from exterior doors, windows and heating/cooling vents. It should also be placed away from a high-traffic zone within the home because the drafts created when people walk by it frequently is enough to make it rebel and begin to develop yellow leaves.
A warm, bright corner where temperatures will remain 70F (21C) and moving air will not reach it is ideal.
Consistent Soil Moisture
The evergreen shrub thrives in soil that is kept consistently moist. It will not tolerate dry soil or soggy soil. Plant tibouchina in well-draining soil and water deeply once a week to prevent the leaves from turning yellow and dropping.
Pruning Causes Problems
Another cause of tibouchina leaves turning yellow and dropping is pruning. The shrub is sprawling and leggy and will need to be pruned occasionally. It doesn’t like to be pruned and usually will develop a few yellow leaves that drop off after being pruned.
Lightly prune in late winter or early spring before the flower buds appear. A light yearly pruning will be tolerated by the shrub better than severe pruning done less often.
Too Much Direct Sunlight
Select a location, either indoors or outdoors, that receives bright, indirect sunlight at least 6-hours a day. If tibouchina receives too much direct sunlight the leaves will turn yellow and drop off, but if the plant doesn’t receive enough sunlight it won’t flower correctly.
How To Create A Colorful Fall Garden
