As a plant owner, one of the last things you want your plant to begin developing is yellow leaves. After all, aren’t yellow leaves a sign the plant is a hopeless case and surely on the way to expiring? Not necessarily! In fact, yellowing leaves are one way your plant is telling you it’s time to switch up its care routine a little. Diagnosing the cause of yellow foliage is a bit like solving a mystery, so it may take a little patient sleuthing to solve your plant’s problem. Here are six possible causes:
- Overwatering and underwatering are two of the most common reasons a plant’s leaves might turn yellow. Thankfully, this is an easy fix! Dry soil may cause leaves to yellow and fall off in the plant’s attempt to conserve water. Soil that is consistently saturated with water (especially if the pot doesn’t have a drainage hole) will lead to root rot, another culprit of yellow leaves. Test out the moisture level of the soil by pressing your finger a few inches into the dirt. If the soil is dry, it’s time to get your plant on a more routine watering schedule. If it feels soaked, ease up on the watering and let the soil dry out before giving it another drink.
- The temperature of your home is another culprit of changing leaf color. If your plant is near a source of heat (fireplace or heat vent) or a source of cold (drafty window or air conditioner), it may show its displeasure by developing yellow leaves. If you know your home has temperature fluctuations or you notice your plant is situated near a problem area, try to provide a more stable environment. Most houseplants enjoy temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees.
- Too much or too little sunlight are two other common causes of pale or yellow leaves. It might be easy to assume that all plants need lots of light, but this isn’t always the case. Some plants, like the Golden Pothos, don’t mind shady parts of your home and will develop yellow foliage if left too long in bright light. Other plants, like succulents, prefer vast amounts of sunlight and will pale without it. When purchasing a new plant, read the label to learn what level of light it needs to stay healthy. Otherwise, a quick search on plant care websites like thesill.com will inform you how much sun your plant needs.
- Nutritional deficiency is another possibility if your plant is showing yellowing leaves. Without the proper nutrients, either from the soil or fertilizer, plants can quickly become distressed, even if they’re getting the correct level of sunlight and water. If yellowed leaves are also accompanied by a slow-growing plant and browning leaf tips, your plant may be lacking essential nutrients like nitrogen, which promotes healthy foliage growth. You can use liquid fertilizer, slow-release fertilizer, or granular fertilizer to add nutrients to your plant’s soil, but be sure to read instructions carefully to avoid fertilizer burn.
- Disease or pests unfortunately can also lead to yellowed leaves on your plant. Insects like spider mites and aphids will cause pale or yellowing leaves, but also show other signs of infestation like cottony fuzz along the stem. Be sure to thoroughly rinse your plant, spray it with neem oil, and remove any affected leaves. Disease that develops on your plant (often caused by pests) will show up as patches of mottled yellow-colored leaves, in addition to deformed and crinkled leaves and stems. This may be the only time your plant cannot be saved and is best removed so as to avoid infecting other plants.
- Maturing plants may also rid themselves of older leaves, which will yellow and fall off. In this case, yellow leaves aren’t cause for concern as they’re simply part of the natural aging process. If after careful scrutiny you believe your plant’s yellow leaves aren’t from one of the above problems, you have nothing to worry about. Simply trim back these leaves to allow new growth.
It takes a lot of practice and dedication to make sure all your plants are happy and thriving in your home. The good news is that, in time, this hard work will pay off and you won’t have to diagnose problems as often. Happy planting!
XO,
Micah
Case study: my tomato plants ðŸ˜
I hear you!