Question
Hello,

Thank you for answering.  Only one side of the hibiscus, which is located indoors, is turned a paler green, the color of new growth.  pH of the water source is unknown. I am unable to send photos.

Maya

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Followup To

Question -
Hello,

A few minutes ago I submitted the following question using an expired email address:

Can you suggest why the leaves of a healthy hibiscus are suddenly turning the light green color of new growth? Despite regular rotation, half the plant is now light green, half still dark green except for new growth.

In the five years I've had this plant, its care has not changed, direct light, moderately moist soil, occasional light high phosphorous fertilizer only during active blooming which is much of the year. There is no evidence of pests. Your insights are appreciated.

I apologize for the inconvenience but could you please send your reply to this email address, not the one used for the original question. Thank you. Maya.



Answer -
Hi Maya,

Is the pale half of the plant mostly the lower half or are you saying that it is one side of the plant that is pale, but not the other?

Is your Hibiscus located outside or inside in the direct sun?

Is the water that you use on the hard or alkaline side?

If you can email some photos to me directly at [email protected], that would be particularly helpful so that I could fully appreciate the problem.

Regards,
Will Creed

Answer
Hi Maya,

If it is only one side that is affected, then it has to be something in the environment that is affecting that side of the plant. Direct sun is the most obvious cause, but you said that you regularly rotate the plant, so all sides should be affected equally. Exposure to cold on one side would be another example, but that also would not seem to apply, especially at this time of year. If the water quality were a problem, then it would affect the lower leaves first, but not just one side. Finally, if one side of the plant were exposed to some sort of toxic spray or fumes, that might cause this reaction, but I am obviously stretching with that explanation. Spider mites can give effected leaves a pale look, but again they don't typically limit themselves to one side of the plant.

That's all I can come up with as this is not a typical reaction of any plant to routine problems. If there are any other aspects of the plant's physical environment that I have overlooked, please let me know.

Regards,
Will Creed