One of the most common problems encountered when caring for indoor plants is yellowing of the leaves. This problem can be caused by something as simple as age, or it can be a sign of a more serious problem lurking beneath the soil, such as root damage. It can be difficult to determine why the leaves of your houseplants have faded, as this problem can be caused by so many factors. To help, here are some of the most common reasons why indoor plant leaves turn yellow.
Too much or too little water
Plants need water to survive, but there is no problem with too much or too little water.
too much water
Too much water around the roots creates an anaerobic environment where bacteria can accumulate, says Linda Langelo, a horticulture expert at Colorado State University. “The roots cannot absorb nutrients. This causes the lower and inner leaves to turn yellow. The yellow parts become mushy and then the leaves fall off,” she says.
too little water
Too little water can also cause the plant's leaves to turn yellow. “If the potting mix is too dry, the leaves will turn yellow for the same reason as if the potting mix is too wet, but in this case there is enough moisture in the potting mix for the roots to be pulled up into the plant. ” says Justin Hancock, Costa Farms horticulturist. “Plants that are too dry are more likely to cause plant wilt (although overwatering can also cause wilt for some species).”
To determine if you are overwatering or underwatering, put your fingertips into the soil or lift the pot to feel its weight. The wetter the plant, the heavier it will be. The drier it is, the lighter it will be.
poor soil drainage
Poor drainage of houseplants occurs when water collects in the pot and the roots become soaked. If you think your houseplant is yellowing due to poor soil drainage, check to see if the container has drainage holes. Also, don't put gravel at the bottom of your houseplant container. “Water moves faster through a porous soil mix than it does through gravel,” Langelo says.
If your container already has drainage holes, you may want to repot your houseplant into a container filled with well-draining soil.
lack of sunlight
Giving your plant too much or too much sunlight will cause the leaves to turn yellow.
too much sun
Too much sunlight can burn the leaves and cause them to turn white. This can occur if the plant receives too much sunlight too soon. “If you slowly move the plant closer to the window over a few weeks, it will become more tolerant of sunlight and will thrive on the windowsill,” says Hancock.
too small sun
Too little sunlight can also damage the leaves of houseplants. In this case, yellowing usually starts from the lower leaves before the leaves fall off. “The leaves that turn yellow first are furthest from the light source,” Langelo says.
There are three ways to fix this. Rotate the pot once a week, find a better light source, or use an LED plant light.
root damage
Many things can damage roots, including improper watering, temperature fluctuations, and too much fertilizer. Damage to the roots may result in yellowing of the leaves, small pale leaves, or brown spots on the leaves. To repair root damage, remove the plant from its container, shake off as much soil as possible, cut off any mushy roots, and repot the plant. “If you have too many mushy, soft roots, your houseplant may not survive when you repot it in a new container with well-drained potting soil,” says Rangelo.
Improper soil pH
If the pH of your houseplant's soil is too low or too high, it won't be able to utilize certain nutrients in the soil, causing the leaves to turn yellow. According to Langelo, most houseplants prefer neutral or slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. If the soil is too acidic, the leaves will turn a dark, dull green color. If the soil is too basic, an iron deficiency disease, iron chlorosis, can develop, which causes leaf veins to turn yellow while still being green, Langelo says. The best way to solve this problem is to repot your houseplants.
fungal infection
Fungal infections can also cause leaves to turn yellow, but they usually start as spots or spots that can spread. The best way to prevent fungal infections is prevention. “Place plants far enough apart to improve air circulation and reduce humidity,” says Langelo. Watering the bottom of the pot early in the morning to reduce humidity will also help prevent fungal infections.
Year
Each leaf of a houseplant has a lifespan. “When that leaf gets old, the plant sheds it,” Hancock says. “Often this begins with the leaves turning yellow before they fall off. In most species, this happens slowly, leaf by leaf. However, some plants will may shed more leaves at once.
temperature fluctuation
Houseplants grow best when daytime temperatures are between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and nighttime temperatures are between 60 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit. “Cold wind coming in through windows, doors, or air ducts can cause the leaves to turn yellow,” Langelo says. To solve this, find out what temperature range your houseplant prefers and see if it's the best fit for your home environment.
Chemical exposure
Be careful not to expose your houseplants to chemicals indoors, as this can cause their leaves to turn yellow. “Outdoors, we are often aware of chemicals such as pesticides being used, but indoors, everyday items can damage plant leaves when they come into contact with them,” Hancock said. say. “For example, if you have a plant on a table and you spray furniture polish on the table and overspray the plant, the chemicals in the polish will cause the leaves of the affected plant to It may turn yellow and the leaves may fall off.'' If you wash or use strong chemicals, make sure your plants are protected.
pest
Yellowing leaves can be caused by several pests and diseases, including aphids, spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects. “These invaders feed on plant tissue and interfere with its normal function, causing discoloration and damage,” Langelo says. Check your plants regularly for small insects, webbing, and unusual spots on the leaves. If an infestation is discovered, treat it immediately. “Insecticidal soaps can help control aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs. Horticultural oils can help control scale by suffocating young crawlers,” Langelo says.
environmental stress
Environmental factors such as shock after repotting, moving the plant to a new location, extreme temperatures, drafts, sudden changes in humidity, and exposure to pollutants can cause leaves to yellow. “Minimizing environmental stress by providing stable conditions and gradually acclimating the plant to the new environment can prevent leaf discoloration,” Langelo says.