Why Do Indoor Plant Leaves Turn Yellow and How to Fix It

If you’ve ever seen yellow leaves on your what-was-once-green-plant, read on to find out the causes, symptoms and solutions. It’s going to be fine!

Leaves Turning Bright Yellow or Mushy Stems

Are the leaves turning bright yellow and is the soil wet and muddy? You might even notice blackened stem bases or fungus gnats. This is usually a sign of overwatering, either caused by watering your plant before its ready or if your plant is in too low of light. When plants sit in waterlogged soil, their roots can’t get enough oxygen, leading to root damage which manifests as yellow leaves.

You can correct this by letting the soil dry out more in between waterings. If overwatering is contributed by lack of light, reassess your lighting and your plants placement to make sure its getting the light it needs. Repotting the plant in dry soil is a last resort if you fear the plant has root rot.

Not sure when to water your plant? Try using a moisture meter.

Why Do Leaves Turn Yellow?

Leaves turning yellow on plants can mean different things depending on the variety, and what other symptoms the plant is showing. This is because plants can show similar signs of stress for different reasons including overwatering, underwatering, mineral deficiency, temperature stress, and so on. Identifying the specific symptoms your plant is showing can help you determine the cause and take appropriate action. When assessing, look at the whole plant, the environment, and the soil to accurately diagnose the cause of yellowing.

Below, we go into the solution to get rid of yellowing leaves by first identifying the symptoms displayed by the plant which can help pinpoint the cause.

SOLVED! WHY My Houseplant Is Turning Yellow

FAQ

How do you fix yellow leaves on houseplants?

• Overwatering:

  Overwatering can lead to root rot, preventing the plant from absorbing nutrients and water, resulting in yellowing leaves. 

• Underwatering:

  Insufficient watering can cause dehydration, leading to yellowing, especially at the tips of the leaves. 

• Nutrient Deficiencies:

  A lack of essential nutrients, like nitrogen, iron, or magnesium, can cause yellowing, particularly in older leaves. 

• Light Deficiency:

  Insufficient light can limit photosynthesis, leading to yellowing, especially in plants that need more light. 

• Temperature Changes:

  Plants are sensitive to temperature fluctuations, and sudden changes can cause yellowing, especially in tropical plants. 

• Fungal Infections:

  Fungal infections can cause yellowing, often starting with blotches or spots that spread. 

• Pot-bound:

  When a plant’s roots are too tightly packed in its pot, it can’t sustain itself, leading to yellowing. 

Do yellow leaves on house plants mean too much water?

The most common reason that plants’ leaves turn yellow is because of moisture stress, which can be from either over watering or under watering. If you have a plant that has yellow leaves, check the soil in the pot to see if the soil is dry.

Can yellow leaves turn green again?

• Chlorophyll and Yellowing:

  Chlorophyll is the pigment that gives leaves their green color. When a leaf turns yellow, it’s because it’s losing chlorophyll, and the plant often starts to absorb nutrients from that leaf, signaling its decline. 

• Irreversible Yellowing:

  Once a leaf has lost its chlorophyll and turned yellow, it’s unlikely to regain its green color, even if the underlying problem is resolved. 

• Nutrient Deficiencies:

  In some cases, yellowing can be a sign of nutrient deficiencies, such as a lack of nitrogen or iron. Addressing these deficiencies with proper fertilization or soil amendments can lead to new, healthy green leaves, but the yellowed leaves themselves will not turn green again. 

• Other Causes of Yellowing:

  Besides nutrient deficiencies, other factors can cause yellowing, including:

  • Watering Issues: Both overwatering and underwatering can cause yellowing. 

  • Light Issues: Too much or too little light can also lead to yellowing. 

  • Pest Damage: Pests can damage leaves and cause them to turn yellow. 

  • Natural Aging: As leaves age, they naturally yellow and fall off. 

• What to do about yellow leaves:

  • Identify the Cause: Determine why your plant’s leaves are turning yellow (watering issues, nutrient deficiencies, etc.). 

  • Address the Problem: Correct the underlying issue, such as adjusting watering habits, fertilizing, or providing more or less light. 

  • Prune Yellow Leaves: Remove yellowed leaves to prevent the plant from expending energy on them. 

  • Focus on New Growth: Once the underlying problem is addressed, the plant should produce new, healthy green leaves. 

What deficiency causes yellowing of leaves?

• Nitrogen Deficiency:

  A general yellowing of the leaves, especially older leaves, can indicate a lack of nitrogen, an essential nutrient for chlorophyll production. 

• Magnesium Deficiency:

  Magnesium is a key component of chlorophyll, and its deficiency leads to a gradual fading of green pigments, resulting in pale or yellowish leaves, especially between the veins (interveinal chlorosis). 

• Iron Deficiency:

  Iron is crucial for chlorophyll production, and when plants lack sufficient iron, they are unable to produce chlorophyll effectively, resulting in yellowing leaves, particularly on younger leaves. 

• Other Factors:

  Yellowing can also be caused by other factors besides nutrient deficiencies, including:

  • Overwatering or Poor Drainage: Waterlogged soil can prevent roots from absorbing nutrients, leading to yellowing. 

  • High Soil pH: High pH can make certain nutrients, like iron, less available to the plant. 

  • Fungal Infections: Some fungal diseases can cause yellowing and other leaf problems. 

  • Lack of Light: Insufficient light can also lead to yellowing as the plant cannot produce enough chlorophyll. 

  • Dehydration: Underwatering can cause leaves to turn yellow and dry. 

  • Environmental Stress: Extreme temperatures or other environmental stressors can also cause yellowing.