Why Plant Leaves Turn Yellow and How to Fix It

Start with three checks

Before changing anything, look at:

The soil. Is it wet, moist or dry 2 in (5 cm) down?
The pattern. Are the old lower leaves yellow, or the new ones? Is the whole leaf yellow, or only the tissue between the veins?
Recent changes. Has the plant been moved, repotted, chilled or fed?

1. Overwatering

This is the most common cause in potted plants. Roots in saturated soil run short of oxygen and stop working, so the leaves yellow and wilt even though the soil is wet.

Signs: soft yellow leaves starting at the bottom, constantly damp soil, fungus gnats, a sour smell.

Fix: let the soil dry to the right depth for the plant before watering again. Make sure the pot drains. If the stems are mushy, repot into fresh mix and remove rotted roots. See how to water houseplants.

2. Underwatering

Signs: leaves yellow and then turn brown and crisp, often from the edges. The soil is dry and pulls away from the pot, and the pot feels light.

Fix: soak the root ball thoroughly, by standing the pot in water for 30 minutes if necessary, and then check the soil more often.

3. Too little light

A plant in low light sheds the leaves it cannot support, usually the oldest ones and those furthest from the window.

Fix: move it closer to a window, and water less while it stays in dim conditions. See light levels explained.

4. Nutrient shortage

The pattern identifies the nutrient.

Pattern	Likely shortage	What to do
Older leaves turn evenly pale yellow, growth is weak	Nitrogen	Apply a balanced fertilizer
New leaves yellow with green veins	Iron, often because the soil pH is too high	Use chelated iron and lower the pH for acid-loving plants
Older leaves yellow between the veins, edges stay green	Magnesium	Apply Epsom salts at the label rate

Potted plants that have been in the same mix for years are the most likely to be short of nutrients. See fertilizer basics.

5. Natural aging

One or two of the lowest leaves turning yellow from time to time while the rest of the plant grows well is normal. Plants recycle nutrients from old leaves. Remove them once they detach easily.

6. Cold, drafts and moves

Tropical houseplants yellow and drop leaves after a cold draft, a spell near a heating vent, or a move to a new position. Keep conditions steady and the plant will adjust within a few weeks.

7. Pests

Sap-feeding insects cause speckled or blotchy yellowing. Check the undersides of leaves for fine webbing (spider mites), white cottony clusters (mealybugs) or brown bumps (scale). Rinse the plant, then treat it with insecticidal soap weekly until the pests are gone.

Will yellow leaves turn green again?

Usually not. Once a leaf is fully yellow the plant has withdrawn its nutrients. Correct the cause and judge the result by the new growth. Leaves with iron deficiency are the exception and can green up after treatment.