Why Are My Plant Leaves Turning Yellow? 10 Real Causes and Fixes

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Yellow leaves have a few main causes: overwatering and root rot, poor drainage, underwatering, low light, nutrient lack, pests, natural aging, or cold drafts. Fix the cause and new growth will stay green.

The fastest way to narrow it down is to check the soil (soggy vs dry), the roots (brown and mushy vs firm), and the leaves (only old ones vs whole plant). Extension guides from University of Maryland and the RHS point to the same culprits. Use the ePlant identifier to name your plant and our disease diagnosis to get a second opinion from a photo. More detail in our yellow leaves guide.

10 Causes of Yellow Leaves and What to Do

• Overwatering and root rot – Soil stays wet; roots brown and mushy. Fix: Let soil dry, improve drainage, repot if needed. See repotting guide.
• Poor drainage – No hole in pot or heavy soil. Fix: Use a pot with a hole and well-draining mix.
• Underwatering – Soil very dry; leaves dry and crispy. Fix: Water when top inch is dry; water thoroughly.
• Low light – Pale or yellow new growth; leggy stems. Fix: Move to brighter indirect light. See lighting guide.
• Nutrient deficiency – Yellow between veins or on new growth. Fix: Feed in growing season; consider fresh soil.
• Pests (spider mites, aphids) – Speckling, webbing, or sticky residue. Fix: Identify and treat. See pest guide and spider mites vs thrips.
• Natural aging – Only bottom leaves yellow and drop. No action needed.
• Cold or drafts – Sudden yellowing after a move or near a vent. Fix: Move away from drafts and vents.
• Too much direct sun – Bleached or scorched patches. Fix: Move to bright indirect light.
• Pot-bound roots – Roots circling or coming out of the hole. Fix: Repot into a slightly larger pot. Repotting guide.

Not sure what is wrong? Snap a photo and use ePlant for an ID and our app for a quick disease check.

Frequently Asked Questions