From my perspective, the most common reason my leaves turn yellow is an imbalance in water. My roots are not fond of soggy conditions. If my caretaker provides too much water too often, the soil becomes waterlogged. This suffocates my roots, preventing them from absorbing oxygen and nutrients from the soil. In this state of distress, my lower, older leaves are often the first to signal a problem by becoming soft, mushy, and turning a sickly yellow. Conversely, if I am left parched for too long, I must use my internal water reserves stored in my leaves to survive. This causes them to shrivel, dry out, and eventually turn yellow before falling off. It is a delicate balance; I prefer my soil to dry out completely between thorough drinks.
My root system is my lifeline. If it is unhealthy, my entire being suffers. The water issue mentioned often leads to root rot, a condition where my roots turn brown or black, become slimy, and can no longer function. Without healthy roots, I cannot uptake water or nutrients, no matter how much is provided, leading to a rapid yellowing of my leaves from the bottom up. Alternatively, if my pot is too small, my roots become cramped and cannot expand to support new growth. This pot-bound stress also manifests as yellowing leaves as I struggle to sustain myself with an underdeveloped foundation.
While I am not a heavy feeder, I still require specific nutrients to maintain my vibrant green color. A severe lack of essential nutrients like nitrogen can cause my older leaves to pale and yellow as I move the limited nutrients to support new growth. On the other end of the spectrum, an overabundance of fertilizer salts can build up in the soil and actually burn my roots. This root damage prevents nutrient uptake and results in yellowing or browning leaf tips and margins. It is a form of chemical shock to my system.
As a succulent, I thrive in bright, direct light. If I am placed in a location that is too dark and shaded, I will become etiolated—stretching out weakly with pale, yellowish leaves as I desperately search for more sunlight. However, a sudden move from a shady spot to intense, direct sun can also be a shock, causing sunburn. This appears as yellow or white bleached patches on the sides of my leaves most exposed to the light. Furthermore, I prefer stable, warm temperatures. Exposure to extreme cold drafts or freezing conditions can damage my cells, causing them to break down and turn yellow or translucent and mushy.
Not all yellowing is a cause for alarm. Sometimes, it is simply a part of my natural growth cycle. As I mature and produce new sets of leaves, my oldest, bottom leaves will naturally yellow, dry out, and eventually fall off. This is how I make room for new growth. If only the very bottom leaves are yellowing at a slow rate and the rest of my plant appears plump and healthy, this is likely the case. It is my way of efficiently managing my energy and resources.
