What causes yellow leaves in house plants and how to fix it
I used to panic every time I saw a yellow leaf on one of my plants. Then a couple of years ago, I was reminded that yellow leaves (and dying leaves) are a natural part of the plant life cycle. Of course! *face palm* If it’s just one or two leaves turning yellow, especially the lower/older leaves, then it’s probably completely normal.
While this might seem obvious (outdoor plants go through a yearly cycle for example) I had never really considered it for indoor plants.
That being said, if several leaves on your plant are turning yellow at the same time, it’s probably a sign that your plant is experiencing stress. If you can figure out why your plant isn’t happy and remedy the situation before all of the leaves turn yellow and drop off, then it’s likely your plant will bounce back and grow new, healthy leaves.
Unfortunately, there are several possible reasons for yellowing leaves, so it can take a bit of trial and error to figure out what’s happening with your plant. To help take some of the guesswork out, let’s have a look at some of the most common reasons why your plants’ leaves might be turning yellow.
Common reasons for yellow leaves
- Water: Overwatering or underwatering. This can be confusing, I know! Check the soil and root area: Does it look soggy? Do the roots look dark and mushy? If so, you might be overwatering. Overwatering is one of the most common causes of unhealthy house plants—and thankfully, it’s an easy fix. If your soil is not soggy, but instead the soil is dry, cracked or pulling away from the pot, you might be underwatering. Plants sacrifice leaves when they are underwatered in order to conserve water and stay alive. You will probably also see other signs of underwatering, such as drooping, shriveling, crispy or curling leaves.
Solution: Try adjusting the amount and frequency of watering and see how your plant does. Bonus tip: Some plants are also sensitive to the type of water you’re using. For example, tap water can contain chlorine, fluoride, and minerals. Check out my Ultimate Guide to Watering your Plant for more tips! - Light: Too little or too much light. Pale leaves that are turning more yellow and less green can be a sign that your plant is not getting enough light. Most plants thrive in bright, indirect light. On the flipside, if you see brown spots or crispy, brown edges on your leaves, it could be getting too much light. Some plants can’t handle direct sunlight and will end up with scorched leaves. (Note: These symptoms can also be due to a lack of humidity.)
Solution: Experiment with moving your plant to an area with brighter indirect light or add an artificial grow light. If you see signs of sun damage, move the plant out of direct light. Read more about your plant’s light needs here. - Soil: Nutrient deficiencies or mineral build up. When was the last time you fertilized your plant? Or possibly even repotted it with fresh soil? Keep in mind that you can have too much of a good thing as well. Adding too much fertilizer can create a toxic build up in the soil which can also cause yellowing leaves.
Solution: If it’s been a while since you’ve fertilized, try adding some plant fertilizing drops to your watering can. If you suspect it could be too much fertilizer, flush the soil by watering your plant thoroughly and letting the water run through the drainage holes. Allow the soil to dry (either partially or completely depending on the type of plant) before watering again. - Stress: Environmental, external or internal. Your plant could be experiencing environmental stress (like an air vent blowing on it, a temperature change, or a lack of humidity—hello Calatheas and ferns!), external stress such as dusty leaves, cat scratches, some kind of bug, or internal stress like a disease.
Solution: Take a close look at leaves (including the underside), stems and the root area for clues. Do the leaves have brown tips or crispy edges? It might be a humidity problem. Try getting a hygrometer to determine the humidity levels in your home and use a humidifier if necessary. Did you see black, yellow or white spots, webs or circular holes? It could be a pest problem. Check for Fungus Gnats, Spider Mites, Scales, Thrips or Mealybugs. Has it been a while since you’ve dusted or cleaned your plants’ leaves? Try to make it part of your regular plant care routine. And of course, always research the needs of your specific plant: What is the ideal soil mix? Watering? Humidity? Light? Environment? Common pests? Then try to make any adjustments according to your findings.
Can a yellow leaf return to its green color?
Once a leaf has turned yellow, it’s not likely to return to its prior green color, even if you solve whatever problem made it yellow in the first place. This is because a leaf turns yellow due to losing its chlorophyll (which is what gives it the green color.) Without chlorophyll, the leaf can no longer photosynthesize, eventually leading to the leaf to shrivel, turn brown and fall off.
Should you remove a yellow leaf from your plant?
In general, yellow leaves can be safely snipped from your plant. This allows the plant to focus its nutrients on the healthy leaves. Also, when a leaf turns yellow, it’s no longer producing energy through photosynthesis, so it’s not contributing to the health of the plant.
There are some differing opinions out there however, with some advice suggesting to leave the leaves on until they fall off naturally. After doing some research, I think it really comes down to personal preference. Personally, I don’t like the look of yellow leaves, so I snip them. But I will absolutely pay attention if multiple leaves are turning yellow!
Final tips for yellowing leaves
Sometimes plant care takes some trial and error to figure out and it can definitely feel a little confusing. Think of yellow leaves as a sign that your plant is trying to communicate its needs to you. Yellow leaves mean your plant is experiencing some stress and it’s your job to become a detective and figure out what it’s trying to tell you.
It’s ok to experiment and see what what works for your plant in your specific setup. Just remember to give each change enough time to actually evaluate and see how it’s affecting your plant! Patience is key when it comes to finding the perfect mix of water, light and nutrients for your plant.
