My roots are my mouth, and my pot is my world. When my leaves turn yellow, the first thing to check is the water in my soil. If you forget to water me, I become desperately thirsty. Without enough water, I cannot transport essential nutrients from my soil up to my stems and leaves. The cells in my leaves begin to fail, and they turn yellow, become crispy, and may drop off to conserve my remaining resources. Conversely, if you love me too much and water me too often, you drown my roots. Soggy soil fills all the air pockets, and my roots suffocate and begin to rot. Once they rot, they can no longer absorb water or nutrients at all, creating a similar state of starvation. The yellowing leaves from overwatering are often softer and more limp than those from underwatering.
My vibrant green color comes from chlorophyll, which requires specific nutrients to build and maintain. A lack of these nutrients, particularly nitrogen, iron, or magnesium, will cause my leaves to yellow. Nitrogen deficiency typically causes older leaves to yellow first as I move the limited nutrient to support new growth. Iron deficiency (chlorosis) appears as yellowing between the veins of my newest, youngest leaves. However, even if these nutrients are present in the soil, I cannot consume them if my roots are damaged (from rot or being pot-bound) or if the soil pH is wrong, locking the nutrients away in a form I cannot absorb.
I am a plant that enjoys mild, comfortable conditions. If I am exposed to excessive, direct sunlight, especially during the hottest part of the day, my delicate leaves can get scorched. This sunscald often manifests as yellowing or browning patches. On the other hand, if I am stuck in a deep, dark corner, I cannot perform sufficient photosynthesis. Without enough light to fuel my systems, my lower and inner leaves may yellow and drop as I abandon them to focus energy on seeking light. Rapid temperature fluctuations, hot drafts from heaters, or cold blasts from air conditioners can also shock my system, leading to stress-induced yellowing.
Sometimes, my yellowing leaves are a distress signal because I am under attack. Tiny pests like spider mites, aphids, or whiteflies may be sucking the sap directly from my leaves and stems. This feeding activity damages the cells and robs me of my vital fluids, causing stippling, speckling, and overall yellowing. Please check the undersides of my leaves and along my stems for these tiny invaders. Similarly, fungal diseases or root rot can infect my system, disrupting my internal pathways and causing yellow spots, wilting, and decline.
