Why Does My Plant Have Yellow Leaves?

Few things worry plant parents more than spotting yellow leaves. While a healthy plant should be full of lush green foliage, the occasional yellow leaf is totally normal. But when multiple leaves start turning yellow, it’s usually a sign that your plant needs a little extra care.

Here’s how to figure out what’s causing those yellow leaves—and what you can do to help your plant bounce back.

1. Overwatering

This is the most common cause of yellow leaves. When soil stays too wet for too long, roots can’t breathe, leading to root rot. The plant then struggles to absorb nutrients, causing leaves to yellow and drop.

How to tell:

Soil feels soggy or stays wet for days after watering.

Yellowing often starts with lower leaves.

Fix: Let the soil dry out before watering again. Make sure your planter has drainage holes, and empty the saucer after 15–30 minutes.

2. Underwatering

On the flip side, dry soil can also cause yellow leaves. Without enough water, your plant can’t move nutrients through its system.

How to tell:

Soil feels bone dry and pulls away from the edges of the pot.

Leaves may look crispy at the edges along with yellowing.

Fix: Give your plant a deep watering until water runs out of the drainage holes. Going forward, check the soil regularly and water when the top 1–2 inches are dry.

3. Too Much or Too Little Light

Plants are picky about their lighting. Both extremes can stress them out and cause yellowing.

Too much light: Leaves may turn yellow and develop brown, crispy patches.

Too little light: Leaves turn pale yellow, and the plant may look leggy as it stretches toward light.

Fix: Move your plant to a spot that matches its needs—bright, indirect light is best for most houseplants.

4. Nutrient Deficiency

If your plant isn’t getting enough nutrients, the leaves may yellow due to lack of chlorophyll.

How to tell:

Leaves yellow but veins stay green (a sign of iron deficiency).

Yellowing across the whole plant can mean nitrogen deficiency.

Fix: Refresh the soil if it’s been a while since repotting. During the growing season (spring and summer), feed your plant with a balanced houseplant fertilizer.

5. Natural Aging

Not all yellow leaves are bad news. As plants grow, it’s normal for older, lower leaves to turn yellow and fall off. This just means the plant is shedding old foliage to make room for new growth.

Fix: Simply prune away the yellow leaves to keep your plant looking tidy.

6. Pests or Stress

Spider mites, aphids, and other pests can cause yellowing by sucking sap from the leaves. Environmental stress (like sudden temperature changes, drafts, or low humidity) can have a similar effect.

Fix: Inspect the leaves closely for pests and treat if necessary. Keep your plant in a stable, draft-free environment with consistent humidity.

Final Tip: Don’t panic over a few yellow leaves—it happens to every plant parent. Instead, treat yellowing as your plant’s way of communicating. With a little observation and adjustment, you’ll figure out what it needs and get it back to thriving in no time.