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Yellow Leaves

Why are my plant's leaves turning yellow?

Possible Causes

Most Common

Overwatering

Signs to look for
  • •Soil stays wet for days
  • •Leaves feel soft or mushy
  • •Lower leaves yellowing first
  • •Possible fungus gnats around soil
Solution

Let soil dry out completely before watering again. Check that your pot has drainage holes. Consider repotting in fresh, well-draining soil if the problem persists.

Most Common

Natural Leaf Aging

Signs to look for
  • •Only the oldest, lowest leaves are yellowing
  • •Plant is otherwise healthy and growing
  • •One or two leaves at a time
Solution

This is normal! Plants naturally shed older leaves as they grow. Remove yellowed leaves cleanly to redirect energy to new growth.

Likely

Underwatering

Signs to look for
  • •Soil is very dry and pulling away from pot edges
  • •Yellow leaves feel dry and crispy
  • •Plant looks wilted even with yellowing
  • •Pot feels very light
Solution

Water thoroughly until water drains from the bottom. Establish a more consistent watering schedule. Bottom watering helps ensure even moisture distribution.

Possible

Nutrient Deficiency

Signs to look for
  • •Yellowing between leaf veins (interveinal chlorosis)
  • •New growth is pale or yellow
  • •Plant hasn't been fertilized in months
  • •Been in the same soil for over a year
Solution

Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season. Consider repotting in fresh potting mix if the soil is depleted.

Possible

Too Much Direct Light

Signs to look for
  • •Yellow or bleached patches where light hits directly
  • •Leaves facing the light source are most affected
  • •Plant is in direct afternoon sun
Solution

Move the plant to a spot with bright indirect light. Most houseplants prefer filtered light rather than direct sun.

How to Diagnose Yellow Leaves

Start with the soil. Is it soggy, bone dry, or somewhere in between? This is usually the fastest way to identify the cause.

Tip

Lift your plant pot. A very light pot usually means underwatering, while a heavy pot often indicates overwatering.

Overwatering vs. Underwatering

Overwatered leaves tend to be soft, limp, and may feel slightly squishy. The yellowing often starts with the lower, older leaves.

Underwatered leaves typically feel dry and papery. They may curl or have crispy edges alongside the yellowing.

When Yellow Leaves Are Normal

Plants naturally shed older leaves as they grow. If your plant is otherwise healthy, producing new growth, and only losing an occasional lower leaf, this is completely normal. Simply remove the yellowed leaves cleanly at the base.

Bottom Watering Advantage

Inconsistent watering is one of the most common causes of yellow leaves. Bottom watering through a reservoir system like POTSPOTSPOTS helps maintain consistent soil moisture, reducing stress on your plants.

Related Issues

Brown Leaf Tips
Why are the tips of my plant's leaves turning brown?
Root Rot
How to identify and save a plant with rotting roots