Tips If Your Indoor Plant Leaves Are Turning Yellow

Techniques To Revive Your Plants:

There can be a variety of reasons why your indoor plant leaves are turning yellow. This issue could be as simple as old age, but there could be other problems to address.

• Soil Drainage – Poor soil drainage causes water to collect/accumulate in the pot and drown the roots. Make sure the pot or container holding your plant has drainage holes. If the pot does have drainage holes, consider using a different pot with better drainage. Well-draining pots and soil prevent pooling at the bottom and waterlogged conditions.
• Sunlight – Too much sun and/or too little sun can be a reason leaves turn yellow. Too much sun can burn leaves – it is best to slowly expose plants to the sun to build up their tolerance. Not enough sun is another problem – solutions to this include finding a better source of light in the house, using LED plant lights or rotating the pot once a week to ensure even light exposure.
• Watering – Overwatering or underwatering your plants will cause issues. Too much water prevents the roots from absorbing the necessary nutrients and can cause bacteria to build up. Not enough water will dry up the roots and plant, leading to the leaves turning yellow and dropping. It is best to water plants when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
• Root Damage – Causes of root damage include excess fertilizer, temperature fluctuations and inadequate watering. One solution to this is repotting – remove the plant from the pot, brush away excess soil, prune away mushy/squishy roots and put the plant back in the pot.
• pH Levels – Most houseplants grow best in soil with pH levels between 6.0 to 7.0. If the soil’s pH is too high or low, it will not be able to access necessary nutrients. If soil levels are too basic, it can lead to iron deficiency and yellowing leaves. If soil levels are too acidic, leaves will be a darker, dull green color.
• Fungal Infections – Fungal infections can be identified by blotches or spots, and discolor plant leaves. Good air circulation and reducing moisture/humidity can prevent fungal infections.
• Pruning – Cut and remove yellow leaves to prevent spread of issues/disease.
• Temperature – Cold drafts running through air ducts, windows, doors and more can turn plant leaves yellow. Houseplants grow best between temperatures 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (during the day) and 60 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit (during the night). Tropical plants require adequate humidity levels. Avoid exposing plants to extreme temperature fluctuations – keep them away from air conditioners, heaters, direct heat sources, etc.
• Insects/Pests – A few common insects found in the house that eat houseplants include scales, mealybugs, aphids and mites. These pests feed on plant tissues and lead to leaf discoloration. Insecticidal soap and oils can help control this issue by smothering the pests/insects.