Why plant leaves turn yellow

One of the biggest problems for plant parents is plant leaves turning yellow. Have you done a frantic Google search to find a solution? We’ve all been there.

Put simply, spotting yellow leaves on plants is a signal that they need extra help. The condition is known as chlorosis, and it occurs when something within the plant interferes with its natural chlorophyll, which is the pigment process that turns the plant green.

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The discolouring is actually your plant’s way of letting you know that it needs help. Liken it a bit to a ship’s computer flashing an amber warning, as opposed to a full red alert.

The good news is that there are several ways to check for inconsistencies to help determine why there are yellow leaves on your houseplants – and to hopefully prevent the issue from happening again.

Over/under watering and insufficient drainage

Too much or too little water can be a leading factor into why leaves lose their colour.

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Plants need water, but overly wet soil means the roots struggle to breathe, and over time they can suffocate and close which stops them taking in, and delivering, the nutrients that the rest of the plant needs.

On the flip side, not giving your plants enough water results in pretty much a similar result – if you water too little, plants once again won’t get the nutrients they need. Importantly, always check the care instructions on your plant with regards to the frequency of watering, as it will vary.

But generally speaking, to prevent overwatering, try switching to a well-draining soil and change your pot to one with good drainage holes. Remember to keep saucers in place to catch the excess water that filters through.

To prevent yellow leaves on plants, plant parents should try the ‘finger test’, which simply requires testing the soil moisture with your finger. When the soil feels dry and light, water thoroughly and deeply – if it is still wet after the previous watering, then wait a day or two before watering again.

The soil pH

The soil pH determines how your plant accesses its nutrients, and it’s entirely dependent on where the soil sits on the pH scale.

By moving up or down the scale, the soil can hit the plants’ optimal range, and the result means your houseplant finds it easier to flourish. But if your plant isn’t receiving the right pH, the results can mean your plant loses colour because even though the nutrients are present, the soil restricts them from taking them in.

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It’s important to note that this is a rare issue with most houseplants, more often affecting landscaping plants, but some more exotic houseplants may need a different soil to the regular kind to ensure they thrive.

Root damage

Root damage is the hidden killer when it comes to houseplants. A bit like a duck swimming, plants are all calm on the surface, and chaos underneath. Root rot and other diseases can happen for several reasons, but the main two are overwatering, and roots being too compact in the containers they sit in.

These issues can lead to damage over time and it means the roots struggle to deliver nutrients to the rest of the plant.

When it comes to repotting, gently slide the plant out from its pot, making sure not to snap the roots when doing so. Healthy looking plant roots are off-white to yellow, whereas rotting roots are darkish and smell like stale, rotting water.

If the plants roots are rotting, it’s a case of moving onto a new plant unfortunately. Though there’s good news if the roots are compact, as that means you can carefully prune away the unhealthy ones, and lightly loosen the tangled ones, repotting it after in a bigger container with well-draining soil.

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Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Outdoor