Why Is My Lemon Tree Losing Leaves?

If your prized lemon tree is losing leaves it could be suffering from issues like disease, pests, nutrition or environmental problems.

Lemons On A Lemon Tree
lemon tree
(Image credit: Denise Hasse)

What Leads To Lemon Leaves Falling Off?

Lemon trees are delightful additions to the garden, but they are not free of problems. If you find your lemon tree losing leaves, it can result from any of a number of issues ranging from diseases and pests to improper cultural care. To learn more about the reasons lemon leaves can be dropping, read on.

Disease Problems

Like other citrus, lemon trees are vulnerable to a number of diseases. Any of these might result in lemon leaf drop. It helps to get a tree that will thrive in your hardiness zone and has resistance to some of these diseases.

Anthracnose

Anthracnose is a fungal disease that causes premature leaf drop. Look for leaves and shoots covered with dark spores.  Treat with fungicides.

Armillaria root rot

Armillaria root rot is another fungal issue that causes lemon trees to wilt, yellow, and drop. The damage depends on how much of the roots are destroyed. Look for rotting bark at the base of the trunk and mushrooms clustered there as well. This disease is difficult to treat and experts recommend removing the tree entirely with as the roots as possible. 

Bacterial Blast

This disease also causes falling leaves. Recognize this infection by the black lesions that appear on the leaves, causing the blades to curl, dry, and drop. This can be treated by copper fungicides applied before the first rains in autumn. 

Botrytis rot 

Botrytis rot is also a fungal issue and the fungus can infect and kill young shoots after prolonged rain in coastal areas. 

Citrus Greening

If leaf veins or entire branches yellow, your lemon tree could be battling citrus greening, a bacterial disease transmitted by insects. The only control of citrus greening that can be achieved is through prevention. Be sure that the citrus psyllids carrying the disease do not come in contact with the tree. 

Greasy Spot

Greasy spot fungus shows up on your lemon tree as yellow spots on the upper side of the leaf. These transform into blister and look greasy. The diseased lemon leaves fall and fruit set is decreased. Copper fungicide treatment can help. 

Mal secco

The first signs of the fungal disease mal secco include pale veins on wilting leaves and silver-grey infected bark. Prune out diseased branches as quickly as possible and don’t irrigate from above. Copper fungicides are efficient in offering protection. 

Phytophthora

Phytophthora is a soil-borne pathogen that can infect citrus trees. Your tree may show signs of weakness and slow collapse, or seem like they’re drought stressed even when they’re being properly watered. Leaves may appear dull or fade to yellow, red, or purple long before fall sets in.

Tristeza

Tristeza is caused by a virus that creates pale foliage, stunted, yellowing leaves, and leaf drop.  It spreads via infected grafting material or by aphids. This is difficult to treat. 

Pest Problems

Insects can also cause lemon tree leaves to drop prematurely. Here are some of the worst culprits.

Citrus Rust Mite

Citrus rust mite causes small fruit and leaf drop. The mites often move in in April, attacking new foliage. Peak populations occur in June and July, declining in August and September. Horticultural oil is an effective tool.

Soft Scale

These insects cover lemon leaves in a sticky substance, causing leaf drop as well as reduced tree vigor.  Use horticultural oils to treat soft scale.

Nutrient Problems

Boron Toxicity

While boron is one of the elements lemon trees require for health, too much can be toxic to the plant. Look for leaf tip yellowing or mottling. A severe case may cause twig dieback and leaf drop.

Sodium Toxicity

If your water is highly saline or you provide too much fertilizer, your lemon tree may suffer from sodium toxicity. This can look a lot like drought stress. Actual sodium toxicity is associated with the overall leaf "bronzing" and leaf drop.

Environmental Problems

Change in Light

Lemon trees prefer full sunlight. However, those grown in containers may experience excess growth with a sunny placement. Move the plant to a site with partial shade. Above all, avoid prolonged exposure to low light and any rapid changes in light exposure. The latter will cause leaf drop. Acclimate plants from indoors to outdoors and vice versa, gradually.

Change in Temperature

Ideally, your lemon tree will experience a minimal range of temperatures. This is a tree that does not require a period of cold to fruit. Rapid temperature changes - including a move from chilly outside air to indoor air - can cause leaf drop.

Hail

Hail is generally not appreciated by any fruit trees. For a lemon tree, hail damage can result in scarring on small branches or fruits. Leaves can be shredded by hail and may drop prematurely.

Teo Spengler
Writer

Teo Spengler has been gardening for 30 years. She is a docent at the San Francisco Botanical Garden. Her passion is trees, 250 of which she has planted on her land in France.