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Why Are My Plant’s Leaves Turning Yellow? Common Causes & How to Fix It

Hand holding yellowing leaves of a plant

Got a droopy, yellowing, or sad-looking plant?

Don’t panic—most houseplant issues are completely fixable. Whether your leaves are turning crispy, dropping off, or showing spots, this guide will help you quickly diagnose the problem and get your plant back on track. Below, you'll find the most common issues new and seasoned plant owners run into—and exactly how to fix them.

Overwatering

This is the most common culprit behind yellowing leaves — and it’s easy to do without realizing it. When roots sit in soggy soil, they lose access to oxygen, begin to rot, and stop transporting nutrients to the rest of the plant. The result? Leaves fade from green to yellow.

Signs You Might Be Overwatering

  • ✔Soil feels constantly wet or soggy
  • ✔Pot has no drainage holes
  • ✔Lower leaves are turning yellow and mushy
  • ✔Plant looks droopy despite watering
  • ✔You’re watering on a fixed schedule, not checking the soil first
  • ✔You notice a musty smell or see fungus gnats flying around

How to fix it:
Let the soil dry out completely before watering again. Then check: does your pot have drainage holes? If not, repot into one that does to prevent future water buildup.

Underwatering

While less common than overwatering, underwatering can also turn leaves yellow — usually starting at the tips or edges. When a plant doesn’t get enough moisture, it begins shutting down non-essential parts (like older leaves) to conserve energy.

Signs You Might Be Underwatering

  • ✔Soil feels bone dry, even deep down
  • ✔Leaves are crispy or curling at the edges
  • ✔Leaf tips turn brown or brittle
  • ✔Plant looks wilted or limp, especially after a few days
  • ✔Pot feels very light when lifted
  • ✔Water runs through the pot too quickly without being absorbed

How to fix it:
Give your plant a thorough soak, letting excess water drain freely. Then, check your routine: are you forgetting to water, or is the soil drying out too fast? Adjust your schedule or consider switching to a moisture-retaining potting mix.

Poor Drainage

Even if you're watering correctly, poor drainage can lead to soggy soil and yellowing leaves. When water can’t escape, roots stay wet for too long — creating the same conditions as overwatering and leading to rot.

Signs Your Pot Has Poor Drainage

  • ✔Water pools on the surface of the soil after watering
  • ✔Soil stays wet for days without drying
  • ✔Pot doesn’t have drainage holes at the bottom
  • ✔You see mold or algae on the soil surface
  • ✔Plant’s roots are mushy or dark when repotting
  • ✔Pot feels heavy and soggy, even when you haven’t watered recently

How to fix it:
Make sure your pot has a drainage hole. Repot your plant using a well-draining soil mix (you can add perlite or coarse sand) and a container that allows excess water to escape freely.

Low Light

Plants need light to photosynthesize — it’s how they make their food. In dim conditions, leaves can fade, yellow, or drop as the plant struggles to sustain itself.

Signs Your Plant Is Not Getting Enough Light

  • ✔New growth is small, pale, or stunted
  • ✔Leaves are leaning heavily toward a light source
  • ✔Lower leaves are dropping off more than usual
  • ✔Variegated leaves are losing their color and turning green
  • ✔Soil stays wet longer than expected between waterings
  • ✔Plant hasn’t grown in weeks or months, even during growing season

How to fix it:
Move your plant closer to a bright, indirect light source like an east-facing window. If natural light is limited, consider using a grow light to supplement. Just avoid placing it in direct sun unless the plant is adapted to it.

Nutrient Deficiency

Yellowing leaves can signal your plant is missing key nutrients, especially nitrogen, which is vital for healthy green foliage.

Signs of Nutrient Deficiency

  • ✔Older leaves turn pale yellow while newer ones stay green
  • ✔Growth is slow or stunted despite proper light and water
  • ✔Leaves may develop brown edges or spots
  • ✔Plant appears generally weak or limp
  • ✔You haven’t fertilized in months (or ever)
  • ✔Leaf veins remain green while the tissue yellows (a sign of chlorosis)

How to fix it:
Use a balanced, water-soluble houseplant fertilizer every 4–6 weeks during the growing season (spring and summer). Be cautious not to over-fertilize — that can do more harm than good.

Aging Leaves

Sometimes, yellowing is just part of your plant’s natural life cycle. As new growth emerges, older bottom leaves may yellow and drop off.

Signs It’s Just Natural Aging

  • ✔Yellowing is limited to lower or oldest leaves
  • ✔New growth is healthy and vibrant
  • ✔Plant is otherwise thriving (no spots, pests, or mushy stems)
  • ✔Yellowing happens slowly and occasionally, not all at once
  • ✔No recent changes to watering, light, or repotting

How to fix it:
No action needed! As long as the rest of the plant looks healthy, this is completely normal. Just gently prune the yellowed leaves if you’d like a tidier look.

Pests

Tiny invaders like spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs can feed on plant sap, leading to stress and — you guessed it — yellowing leaves. You’ll often spot sticky residue, webbing, or tiny bugs on the undersides of leaves.

Signs Pests Are Causing Yellowing

  • ✔Sticky residue (honeydew) on leaves or nearby surfaces
  • ✔Fine webbing between leaves or stems (a sign of spider mites)
  • ✔Tiny bugs visible on the undersides of leaves
  • ✔White, cottony blobs (likely mealybugs)
  • ✔Yellowing paired with distorted or curled leaves
  • ✔Dropping leaves despite normal care
  • ✔Increased presence of ants (they’re attracted to pest secretions)

Fix: Inspect your plant closely. Wipe down leaves with a damp cloth or treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Isolate the plant to prevent spreading.

How to Diagnose the Problem

Yellow leaves don’t mean your plant is doomed — but they do mean something’s off. From watering habits to lighting, drainage, or pests, there are multiple potential culprits. This step-by-step diagnostic guide helps you narrow down the issue by following clear clues. Let’s get to the root of it.

Feel the Soil

  1. Wet and soggy?
      1. Is there proper drainage?
        • Yes → Likely Overwatering
        • No → Likely Poor Drainage
  2. Bone dry?
      1. How long since last watering?
        • A long time → Likely Underwatering
        • Recently watered → Check humidity or root health

Observe Your Lighting

  1. Lots of direct sun?
      1. Plant type?
        • Low-light plant → Likely Sunburn
        • Sun-loving plant → Likely not the issue
  2. Far from window?
      1. Plant type?
        • Bright-light plant → Likely Not Enough Light
        • Low-light plant → Should be okay

FAQ: Yellow Leaves on Houseplants

Should I cut off yellow leaves from my plant?

Yes — removing yellow leaves won’t harm the plant and can help it focus energy on healthy growth. Just be sure to use clean scissors and cut at the base of the stem or leaf.

Why are my plant’s bottom leaves turning yellow?

Lower leaf yellowing is often due to natural aging, especially if your plant is otherwise healthy. If many are yellowing quickly, consider light, watering, or nutrient issues.

Can too much sun cause yellow leaves?

Yes — bright, direct sunlight can scorch leaves and cause yellow or brown patches. Try moving your plant to a spot with bright, indirect light.

How can I tell if my plant is overwatered or underwatered?

Over-watered plants often have yellow, soft, or mushy leaves and soggy soil. Under-watered plants usually have dry, crispy leaves and very dry soil.

Will yellow leaves turn green again?

Unfortunately, no. Once a leaf turns yellow, it won’t revert. Focus on correcting the issue and encouraging new, healthy growth.