Why plant leaves turn yellow

If no pests are visible, then this is likely caused by a mineral deficiency, usually calcium or boron. Fresh potting soil contains new nutrients. This will usually be a more pale yellow or whitish yellow. Temperature will flux around the plant too much or will be obvious, like a radiator or a draft. It could also be a fertilizer issue. As plants mature and grow, older leaves can age-out, start to yellow, and eventually fall from your plant.

This is natural leaf shedding. If your plant is happy and healthy otherwise, and only older, mature leaves are yellowing and dropping, there is no need to worry!

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Plant Physiology Node Nodes are the places on a stem where leaves attach, and buds are. Buds may be recessed into the stem, but the node is usual A lack of nutrients can cause problems when damaged or compacted roots cannot deliver food to a plant. A plant might be unable to access nutrients for other reasons, including pH imbalance. Other times, nutrients might be completely missing from the soil.

Key indicators : Specific deficiencies produce different symptoms. Nitrogen deficiency, for example, might cause leaves to turn completely yellow. Potassium deficiency, however, causes the edges of leaves to yellow. Remedy : If the problem is pH-related, adding fertilizer might not work. If the soil is devoid of one or more specific nutrients, fertilizer is the answer. A soil test is the only way to know the root cause of the problem and whether you need fertilizer.

Fertilizer helps plants grow, so more of it must produce even bigger, more beautiful plants, right? Too much fertilizer can not only stunt growth. It can also harm the environment and disrupt the delicate underground ecosystem. Additionally, too much fertilizer can yellow leaves and is likely to prevent blooms and fruits from forming. Key indicators : Leaves might yellow and wilt.

Other symptoms include root rot, stunted growth, leaf drop, or browning of leaf tips. There may also be a visible crust of fertilizer on the surface of the soil.

Remedy : Remove the layer of fertilizer visible on the topsoil. Remove any dead leaves or plant matter. Yellow leaves due to lack of light is a common problem with houseplants because people often grossly underestimate the amount of light a plant is getting. Remedy : The fix for lack of light is easier said than done.

Placing your plant in a sunnier area is the best way to rectify the problem. However, not everyone has an ultra-sunny windowsill available. No gardener wants to spot or deal with a pest infestation, but infestations do happen. Plant vampires like aphids , mites , mealybugs , and thrips are common houseplant pests. When these insects feed on foliage and the like, plants become stressed, and leaves can turn yellow.

Some pests even damage roots, which can interrupt nutrient and water absorption. Key indicators : Visible signs of pests might not be evident at first glance. If this is your issue, there is a clue that you can look for. A plant that is yellowing from a lack of light will typically yellow on the side that is away from the light source.

The leaves near the window, for instance, are getting all the light and blocking the opposite side. A great way to remedy this is to turn the pot a bit once a week, so all sides have access to natural light. If this is the case, move the plant to a sunnier location and see how it does. If window light is tough to come by in your home—especially in winter—you might need to rig up an artificial plant light or two.

Plant leaves may also turn yellow if a plant is not receiving all of the nutrients it requires. This can be caused by too much calcium in the water if you're using hard water or by a nitrogen deficiency. If this is the problem, the plant's top leaves may be the first to go yellow. In other cases, you might notice an unusual pattern to the yellowing. For instance, the veins may remain dark while the tissue between them turns yellow. The nutrients a plant requires varies based on the species and some are pickier than others.

It's important to try and diagnose the problem properly or you might kill a plant that can otherwise be brought back to health. It can be a good investment to purchase a small soil kit for at-home soil tests. Being able to accurately pinpoint the needs of your plant will greatly help. This will help keep your plants happy and healthy. If your plant has a viral infection, it might show up as blotchy, spreading yellow patches on leaves throughout the plant.

This may be accompanied by deformed leaves and stems, as well as discolored flowers. Viral infections in plants may not be able to be cured and can infect all susceptible plants nearby. Check the neighboring plants to ensure the spread is contained. You can take steps to save the plant, but you must first attempt to identify the virus. Some remedies can involve fungicides, while others may require removing healthy parts and propagating.

While it may be painful if it's a favorite, you may have to discard any plants that you cannot bring back to health. Wash and sterilize any pruning tools or pots before using on other plants.

Missouri Botanical Garden, Perry, L. Why Houseplants Drop Leaves. Diagnosing Nutrient Deficiencies. University of Missouri Extension. Hosack, P and Miller, L.