From my perspective, the most common reason my leaves turn yellow is an issue with water. My roots are adapted to store significant moisture, and I prefer a cycle of thorough drying between drinks. When I am given water too frequently, or if my pot does not allow excess water to escape, my roots are forced to sit in saturated soil. This suffocates them, preventing them from absorbing oxygen and nutrients from the soil. This root rot then travels upward, manifesting as soft, mushy, and yellowing leaves, often starting at the base. Conversely, while I am drought-tolerant, extreme and prolonged neglect will also cause my leaves to yellow, dry out, and crisp up as I deplete my internal water reserves.
I am a highly adaptable plant, but my lighting situation can contribute to my yellowing leaves. I thrive in bright, indirect light. If I am placed in an area with extremely low light for a prolonged period, my photosynthetic processes become inefficient. I may struggle to produce the energy needed to sustain all my foliage, causing some of the older, lower leaves to yellow and slowly die off to redirect resources. On the other end of the spectrum, while I can handle some direct sun, intense, scorching sunlight for many hours a day can actually sunburn my leaves, causing yellow or brown, bleached-looking patches on the areas most exposed to the light.
I originate from warm, stable climates and therefore prefer consistent, comfortable room temperatures. I am particularly sensitive to cold. Drafts from frequently opened doors, air conditioning vents blowing directly on me, or being placed near a cold window during winter can send me into a state of shock. This temperature stress disrupts my cellular functions and often results in yellowing leaves, which can feel soft and mushy if cold damage is severe. Sudden temperature fluctuations are something I find very difficult to adjust to.
Over time, I will naturally expand and fill my pot with my robust root system. When I become pot-bound, with roots circling tightly and taking up all available space, it becomes difficult for me to uptake water and the few nutrients left in the depleted soil. This congestion stresses me, and a common sign is the yellowing of leaves. Additionally, the soil I live in loses its fertility over time as I consume its nutrients and they are washed away through watering. A significant lack of essential nutrients like nitrogen can cause a general yellowing of my foliage, as I cannot produce sufficient chlorophyll, the green pigment vital for my energy production.
Finally, it is important to consider that sometimes, a yellow leaf is simply part of my life cycle. As I grow new leaves from the center of my rosette, the oldest, outermost leaves will occasionally yellow and die back to make way for new growth. If only one or two leaves are yellowing slowly, especially at the bottom of the plant, and the rest of my foliage appears firm, vibrant, and healthy, this is likely just a natural process of renewal and not a cause for concern.
