We all experience that moment where our plants get a yellow leaf or two, and it can be quite distressing if you’re a new plant parent. I’ve been there and it's not fun, especially when you don't know exactly what went wrong.
Too Much Water
When you see a yellow leaf on your fairly healthy plant, one of a few things could be wrong. One possible diagnosis for the yellowing leaf is overwatering. Overwatering is a very common thing in plant parenthood. Sometimes we love our little green gals too much, and we end up with a moldy plant. When a plant has too much water, the roots of the plant begin to suffocate and they can no longer pump nutrients to the leaves up top. If we know anything about plants it’s that they need to have a healthy root system in order to thrive. If this happens, I suggest repotting the plant in fresh, dry soil to give it a chance to breathe. Also mixing a dash of hydrogen peroxide to your watering vessel will help the roots get rid of root rot. I'm not exactly sure how this method works, but I have tried it before and it seemed to do the trick! Be careful not to use too much hydrogen peroxide as you don't want to burn the roots either.
Not Enough Water
The reason identifying yellowing leaves is so difficult is because sometimes the diagnoses are contradictory. In one case the plant is overwatered, but in the other case it's not watered enough and this can result in yellow leaves as well. When plants get too dry they also start to wilt and look droopy. This is an indicator that they are in dire need of some h2o. When plants experience drought they tend to also have yellow leaves. Do not worry if your plant is looking wilted or dehydrated, most of the time they can perk right back up once they get a good soak. They like to dry out fully between waterings which makes them a very low-maintenance houseplant, perfect for beginner green thumbs. Sometimes less is more when it comes to plant caretaking, and watering a plant that has been too dry is an easier fix than a plant that has root rot. However, both cases can be easily fixed if you catch it sooner than later.
Winter is Coming
In the winter many plants will go dormant. This means that they can lose a lot of leaves and become quite bare. During this phase it is very common for plants to look somewhat naked scraggly. This is very common for outdoor plants but even some indoor plants can experience this. Don't freak out if your plant starts to look a little less than perfect. Plants are very resilient little things. They may look awkward and deathly, but they might just surprise you come springtime. A very common result of winter is yellowing leaves or brown tips because the air is more stagnant, dry, and less humid. It may feel like all your plants are dying when in reality they are just dropping some leaves as a result of the cooler weather.
None of the Above
The hardest thing to understand about why the leaves of our gorgeous plants are turning yellow is because there is nothing wrong at all. Yep, you read that right. Sometimes plants can be perfectly healthy and still have yellow leaves. Yellowing leaves are part of the life cycle of the plant and it’s no different than when our teeth fall out as children. Plants are constantly growing and shedding off dead layers to give energy to their new leaves, so sometimes all you need to do is check, inspect, and then reflect on what needs to be done. Sometimes all you need to do is prune off the dead leaves and leave your plant be.
TIP
To test the moisture of your soil, stick your finger about 2 inches into the plant. If it is dry, give it a good soak, if it is moist or wet, leave it be.
Comments