Here's why cucumber leaves turn yellow and what to do to restore your plant's lush, green growth.

Seeing your cucumber leaves turning yellow can indicate that the cucumber plants are stressed by pests, diseases, or other factors. Taking action at the first signs of leaf yellowing can increase the chances that the plant can recover and still produce a harvest. Here are some of the most common reasons why cucumber leaves turn yellow, plus quick and easy tips to treat yellowing leaves and help cucumber plants grow green again.

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Underwatering is the most common reason cucumber leaves turn yellow, but overwatering can also cause yellowing cucumbers. Underwatered cucumber plants typically wilt and develop crispy, brown, or curled leaves, while overwatered plants may also wilt and turn yellow due to root rot. The difference is that damage from overwatering typically starts toward the top of the plant, and plants with root rot may also develop dark splotches on their leaves

The Solution: Cucumber plants need about 1 inch of water per week for healthy growth. If you often forget to water, you may want to install a drip irrigation system and spread a 2 to 3-inch layer of mulch beneath your plants to keep the soil from drying out. If you’re unsure whether your plants need more or less water, touch the soil before you water, and only water if the top 1 inch of soil feels dry.