Why are my plant leaves turning yellow?
Yellow leaves are most often caused by too much water, poor drainage, insufficient light, or normal aging. Check the soil before watering and make sure the pot has drainage holes. If the soil stays wet, allow it to dry and inspect the roots. A single older yellow leaf may be normal, but several yellow leaves at once usually indicate a care problem.
Why are plant leaves turning yellow?
Yellow leaves can have several causes, but overwatering is one of the most common. If the soil remains wet for many days, roots may lack oxygen and begin to deteriorate. Check the moisture below the surface before watering again, and make sure the pot can drain freely.
Insufficient light can also cause yellowing, especially when the plant is growing slowly or producing pale, weak new leaves. Move it closer to a suitable window, but do so gradually if the new location receives strong direct sun.
Yellow leaves may also result from underwatering, cold drafts, sudden changes in location, pests, or a lack of nutrients. Look closely at both sides of the leaves for fine webbing, sticky residue, cottony spots, or tiny insects. These signs point to a pest problem rather than a simple watering issue.
What to do
- Check the soil moisture several inches below the surface.
- Inspect the pot and drainage holes for trapped water or compacted soil.
- Look for pests on leaves, stems, and around the soil surface.
- Review the plant's light and temperature.
- Remove badly damaged leaves with clean scissors.
One older leaf turning yellow while the rest of the plant looks healthy may simply be natural aging. Do not add fertilizer immediately unless the plant is actively growing and its other care needs are being met. Fertilizer cannot fix roots that are staying wet or a plant that lacks light.