Yellow leaves on house plants: causes and fixes
Yellow leaves have more than one cause. Look at how many leaves are yellow, where they are, and how the soil feels. Then you can pick the right fix.
This is general care advice. Check the label of your plant. Keep toxic plants away from pets and children.
What you need
- Clean scissors
- Water
- Houseplant fertilizer (if needed)
Steps
- Count the yellow leaves. One or two old leaves at the bottom is normal. The plant drops its oldest leaves.
- Touch a yellow leaf. A soft or limp leaf points to too much water. A dry, crisp leaf points to too little water.
- Push a finger 2 to 3 cm into the soil. Wet soil with soft yellow leaves means too much water. Dry soil with crisp leaves means too little.
- Look at the new leaves at the top. Pale or light green new leaves can mean the plant needs feed or more light.
- Remove yellow leaves with clean scissors. They do not turn green again.
- Follow the answer in the check below.
Check your plant
Answer the questions. The guide shows what to do.
Warnings
- Do not water a plant with yellow leaves before you test the soil. Water can make a wet-soil problem worse.
- Do not feed a sick plant. Fix water and light first.
Questions and answers
Why are my plant's leaves turning yellow?
The most common cause is too much water. Other causes are too little water, low light and low nutrients. Test the soil first.
Will yellow leaves turn green again?
No. Remove them with clean scissors. Fix the cause so new leaves stay green.
Is one yellow leaf a problem?
No. Old leaves at the bottom of the plant turn yellow and drop as a normal part of growth.