Butterfly bushes (Buddleia) are usually some of the most low-maintenance shrubs you can have in your yard. They’re tough cookies that thrive in almost any soil and handle most weather patterns like a pro. However, if you start seeing those leaves turn yellow, your plant is trying to tell you something is up with its health.
There are a few different reasons why your butterfly bush might be losing its vibrant green color. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the most common culprits:
The 3 Most Common Reasons for Yellow Leaves on Butterfly Bushes
When those yellow spots show up on the top or bottom of the leaves, it’s usually a sign that the shrub isn’t happy with its location, the soil quality, or its current care routine. Whatever you do, don’t make the mistake many gardeners make: don’t just assume it’s thirsty and start dousing it with water! If the leaves are already yellowing, extra water is often the last thing the plant needs.
Instead, take a look at these three likely causes:
- Standing water (Soggy feet)
- Poor lighting/location
- Nutrient deficiency
Cause #1: Standing Water (Drainage Issues)
Butterfly bushes hate “wet feet.” Standing water usually happens because of overwatering or because the soil is too heavy and clay-like. If your soil is the problem, you’ll want to dig up the shrub and replant it in a mix enriched with sand or fine gravel to help it breathe.
Loosening up the soil allows moisture to drain away from those sensitive roots rather than pooling around them. If you’ve been overwatering, stop immediately. Let the plant dry out for a few days, and then only water when the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch.
Cause #2: Not Enough Sunlight
These shrubs are sun-worshippers! They need plenty of heat and direct light not just to stay healthy, but to produce those massive, fragrant clusters of flowers during bloom time. If your bush is stuck in a dark or shady corner, the leaves will quickly turn yellow as the plant struggles. If this is the case, your best bet is to transplant it to a sunnier spot in your garden.
Cause #3: Nutrient Deficiency
While butterfly bushes love the loose, sandy soil we mentioned earlier, that type of ground is often pretty low in nutrients. To make sure your shrub has the fuel it needs to grow, you should give it a boost at least once a year at the start of the season. I recommend using organic options like horn meal, well-aged compost, or manure to keep the soil rich and your leaves green.
