Why Do The Leaves On My Houseplants Get Yellow?

Yellowing leaves on indoor plants can be caused by various factors, including inadequate watering, old age, temperature fluctuations, and more. To diagnose the issue and fix it, it is essential to check the soil in the pot and determine if the plant needs more or less sunlight.

There are five common reasons why plant leaves turn yellow: lack of sunlight, poor drainage or improper watering, poor soil pH, underwatering or drought, and pests in the soil.

Lack of sunlight is one possible cause for yellowing leaves, and poor drainage or improper watering can lead to overly wet soil that prevents roots from breathing and suffocating, shutting down, and delivering the necessary water and nutrients. Underwatering or drought also have the same basic effect.

Soil pH can also affect the plant’s ability to access certain nutrients, causing yellow leaves. Overwatering and underwatering both contribute to yellowing leaves, with overwatering often resulting in limp or mushy leaves. Plants that are under-fertilized will often develop yellow leaves, while low humidity can cause browning and eventual leaf drop.

Leaves turning yellow can be due to need for sunlight, overwatering or less watering, pests in the soil, absence of fresh air, and other factors. Overwatering can result in limp or mushy yellow leaves, while underwatering can cause plants to be under-fertilized.

When the entire plant turns yellow, it could mean the soil is waterlogged, preventing the roots from getting enough oxygen. By addressing these issues, you can quickly restore your plant to health and prevent further yellowing.

How often should I water indoor plants?

Watering houseplants is a crucial task, but it can be a challenge due to over-watering or dehydration. Typically, houseplants need to be watered once or twice a week in spring and summer, but less in autumn and winter. However, some houseplants require special care, such as orchids, cacti and succulents, and citrus plants. Orchids should only be watered once a week with a small amount, cacti and succulents should be watered when the potting mix has dried out, and citrus plants should be watered frequently.

What is a plant lacking if the leaves turn yellow?

Vegetable leaves turn yellow due to various factors, including nutrient deficiency, overwatering, and poor drainage. This can indicate various health issues, such as natural aging, nutrient deficiencies, pests, diseases, or environmental stress. Chlorosis, a disease associated with the yellowing effect in leaves, is a common cause when a plant lacks enough chlorophyll, a pigment necessary for photosynthesis.

Chlorosis can manifest as one of the variables or causes plant leaves to turn yellow, especially in outdoor settings. The absence of chlorophyll is responsible for the distinctive green color of leaves, which is essential for photosynthesis.

What do yellow leaves mean on an indoor plant?

Yellowing leaves on plants can be caused by overwatering, underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, lack of light, or pests. To determine the cause, closely examine the plant and analyze its watering routine, light conditions, and environment. If the leaves turn yellow after repotting, it’s normal due to shock. Ensure proper watering and remove any yellow leaves. To prevent yellowing due to nutrient deficiencies, regular fertilization during the growing season (Spring-Summer) and provide the right nutrients for your plant type can help prevent yellowing.

How often should indoor plants be watered?

Avoid following a watering schedule for indoor plants, as it can lead to overwatering and underwatering. Instead, water your plants thoroughly, ensuring they get enough water from their drainage holes. This helps promote healthy root system development. Avoid letting indoor plants sit in water, as it can cause root rot. If you accidentally overwater, use a turkey baster to remove excess water. Instead, set a schedule to check if your plants need water, but avoid relying on a one-time-a-week watering schedule.

What nutrient should you add if your plant is turning yellow?

Yellow leaves in lawns and plant leaves can indicate nutrient deficiencies, as some nutrients are highly mobile in soil and can leach away unless replaced with fertilizer. Nitrogen deficiencies, for example, can turn lawns and plant leaves yellow or pale green unless regular fertilization is applied. To address nutrient deficiencies, proper fertilization and premium plant foods can be beneficial. Identifying which leaves turn yellow first and the yellow pattern on leaves can provide clues to common deficiencies.

Nitrogen deficiency shows as a general yellowing, with older leaves closest to the stem turning yellow first. Potassium deficiency shows when leaf edges turn bright yellow, while inner leaves remain green. Magnesium deficiency starts as yellow patches between leaf veins on older leaves, while iron deficiency hits young leaves on plant tops and branch tips first. Sulfur deficiency starts with the newest leaves, turning them yellow throughout. Understanding the complex relationships between soil and plant nutrients is essential for maintaining healthy plant growth.

Do yellow leaves mean a plant is overwatered?

Overwatering is a common cause of yellowing leaves in plants, as it decreases performance and vigor due to oxygen being pushed out of the soil and roots being under-aired. This can lead to root rot and fungal diseases. To detect overwatering, check the soil’s moisture level by digging near the plant’s stem and squeezing a small handful. Overwatered plants may show signs of overwatering, such as brownish-yellow mature leaves, wilting, limp, mushy leaves, black spots, lumps, and cracking fruit due to excessive watering.

Can I just sprinkle Epsom salt on plants?

Epsom salt has been demonstrated to enhance seed germination and repel slugs and other pests in horticulture. However, the University of Minnesota Extension Service has issued a cautionary note, advising against the addition of Epsom salt to soil unless there is a documented magnesium deficiency. Excessive quantities of Epsom salt can prove detrimental to both plants and soil. In order to ascertain whether the soil is deficient in magnesium, it is recommended that a sample be sent for analysis and that the relevant information be provided.

Does Epsom salt help yellow leaves?

Lemon tree leaves may turn yellow due to a lack of magnesium in the soil. To correct this, mix 30g of Epsom Salts per litre of water per tree or apply directly to the soil at the same rate. Regularly feed citrus with a specially blended fertiliser like Tui Citrus food, feeding them twice a year in early spring and late summer. Avoid fertilizing too late into autumn, as this will push soft new growth that doesn’t harden off before winter and is at risk of frost damage.

For citrus growth, plant in a frost-free sunny position, ensure free draining soil with plenty of organic matter, and water regularly throughout the summer months. Mulch around the tree in early spring to conserve soil moisture, add organic matter, and suppress weed growth. Tui Mulch and Feed is a great option for citrus, as it contains blood, bone, and a blend of pea and lucerne straw.

Do house plants like Epsom salt?

The application of Epsom salt has been demonstrated to markedly improve the health of blooms in potted plants. To achieve this, a solution of two tablespoons of Epsom salt per gallon of water should be prepared and the usual watering regimen replaced with this solution once a month. This straightforward incorporation can be readily integrated into a regular routine.

Should you remove yellow leaves from houseplants?

To maintain plant health, it’s essential to prune the plant regularly, remove damaged or yellow leaves, and remove diseased or dying parts. Be patient and take preventative measures, as it may take time for the plant to recover from stress. Keep a consistent care routine and monitor your plants for signs of trouble, such as pest infestations, wilting, leaf color changes, or dry or burned spots. Adjusting your plant care regimen early can prevent even a single leaf from turning yellow. Remember, it takes time for plants to recover from stress, so be patient and consistent with your care routine.