Yellow leaves
A general stress signal; indoors the most common cause is too much water.
What you'll see
- The whole plant fades to yellow and the soil stays wet: usually too much water.
- Only the oldest, lowest leaves yellow: hunger, long dry spells or normal aging.
- The newest leaves yellow between green veins: an iron shortage, often in soggy or alkaline soil.
- Many leaves yellow and fall soon after a move, a draft or a cold snap: shock from the change.
Why it happens
Yellowing is the plant's general stress signal. Indoors the top cause is overwatering, then poor light, hunger, cold and pests.
How to fix it
- Check the soil and roots first; let soggy pots dry out and fix the drainage.
- Move the plant into brighter light, especially in winter, and away from cold drafts.
- If it hasn't been fed for months, start a gentle feed in the growing season, at the strength on the label.
- Look under the leaves for pests, and remove leaves that are fully yellow; they won't turn green again.
Keep it from coming back
- Water by need, in pots with drainage holes.
- Feed lightly but regularly while the plant is growing.
- Keep tropical plants warm and out of drafts in winter.
Read more
- How often to water houseplants
- Overwatering vs underwatering
- How much light do houseplants need?
- How to fertilize houseplants
- How to save a dying plant
Sources
- University of Maryland Extension: Yellowing leaves on indoor plants
- RHS: Leaf damage on houseplants
- Clemson HGIC: Houseplant diseases and disorders
General guidance, not a diagnosis. For valuable, edible or outdoor crops, check with a local extension service or plant expert. Use any product exactly as its label says, and keep children and pets away while it dries.