This is the most common distress signal I send. My thick, fleshy leaves and stems are designed to store water, making me exceptionally drought-tolerant. When you water me too frequently, the soil becomes saturated, and my roots are deprived of oxygen. They begin to rot, becoming unable to absorb water or nutrients. Ironically, this root rot manifests above the soil as yellowing, soft, and mushy leaves that eventually drop. Conversely, if you forget about me for too long, the water reserves in my leaves will be completely depleted. In a final act of self-preservation, I will sacrifice my oldest leaves to conserve moisture for my core stem and newer growth. These leaves will typically turn yellow, then brown and crispy, before shriveling and falling off.
As a sun-loving succulent, I require bright, direct light for several hours a day to thrive. This light is the energy source for my photosynthesis process, which creates the food I need to grow and maintain my green foliage. When placed in a spot with insufficient light, my internal energy production plummets. I simply cannot support all of my leaves. To survive, I must make a difficult choice and begin to shed the ones that are no longer energetically efficient. The leaves may yellow first as chlorophyll breaks down, and then they will detach cleanly from the stem. You may also notice my stems becoming elongated and leggy as I desperately stretch toward any available light source.
I prefer a stable, warm environment similar to my native habitat. Sudden temperature fluctuations are very stressful for me. Cold drafts from frequently opened doors or windows, or the blast of hot, dry air from heating vents, can cause significant shock. This stress disrupts my normal cellular functions and can trigger leaf drop as a reaction. Cold temperatures, especially anything below 50°F (10°C), can cause cell damage inside my leaves, leading to them turning a darker, almost bruised yellow or brown before falling. Consistency is key to keeping me comfortable and my leaves securely attached.
While I am not a heavy feeder, I do require some nutrients to maintain my vibrant green color and support new growth. If I have been living in the same pot with the same soil for many years, the available nutrients will eventually be exhausted. Without essential elements like nitrogen, which is crucial for chlorophyll production, my older leaves may gradually fade to a pale yellow or lighter green before falling. This is a slower process than the sudden drop caused by overwatering. A related issue could be root binding; if my pot has become too small, my root system is so cramped it cannot effectively take up what little water and nutrients are available.
Finally, it is important to recognize that some leaf loss is a perfectly normal part of my life cycle. As I grow taller and produce new sets of leaves from my stem tips, the very oldest leaves at the bottom of the plant will eventually reach the end of their lifespan. They will slowly yellow and dry out before detaching to make way for new growth. This is a gradual process, typically affecting only one or two leaves at a time, and is not a cause for alarm as long as the rest of my foliage appears plump, firm, and a healthy green.
