Native Plants

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants

See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

rate this answer

Not Yet Rated

Wednesday - March 25, 2015

From: Houston, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives, Diseases and Disorders
Title: Mexican Lime Turning Yellow
Answered by: Anne Van Nest

QUESTION:

What causes moderate yellowing of 40% of the leaves of an 8 year old Mexican Lime Tree that is booming and blooming right now with lots of thick new growth? I used a general garden fertilizer a few weeks ago.

ANSWER:

Kurt Nolte from the University of Arizona, Yuma County Cooperative Extension has an extensive webpage on Mexican Lime (Citrus aurantifolia). Since Citrus are not natives, Mr. Smarty Plants is relying on other experts to answer your question. This includes the University of California Integrated Pest Management website which has a good pictorial page about Citrus problems. Some of the problems that could cause yellowing leaves are too moist soil, nitrogen deficiency, citrus greening, manganese deficiency, potassium deficiency, iron deficiency, cold weather, and sunburn. Survey the plant to see where the yellow leaves are occurring (lower leaves, new growth) and see if your symptoms match any on the University of California page. But the good news is that your plant is blooming profusely and has lots of thick new growth.