9 Reasons for Yellow Leaves on Plants

Do you know the reasons for yellow leaves on plants? Got fed up seeing your plant leaves turn yellowish? Want to fix yellow leaves on plants? If yes is your answer, check out the article featuring reasons for yellow leaves and how to fix them.

Have you ever wondered why the plant leaves turn yellowish? Is it due to season change? Or maybe it happens due to disease? Well, there are so many reasons why the plant leaves turn yellow. Sometimes, the yellow color of the leaves indicates that the plant lacks some of the key nutrients and may have diseases.

Whatever the reason is, you need to address these causes to fix them and have a healthy plant. In this blog, we’ll discuss the root causes of the leaf’s color changes and the reasons for yellow leaves on plants. Not only that, we will help you to fix yellow leaves on plants so that your garden will be green again.

This problem also includes big leaf plants and we wrote a detailed guide on how to take care of big leaf plants.

There are many varieties of big leaf indoor plants as well that you can grow in your home but need to take care of them.

Reasons for Yellow Leaves on Plants and How to Fix?

Let’s deep dive into the post and find the best solution to get a healthier plant. So, let’s start with the reasons for yellow leaves on plants and their solutions.

1. Compacted Roots Turns Leaves Yellow

The roots of the plants are the main vein plant. It helps to circulate vital nutrients to the stems, leaves, and other plant parts. However, when the roots are not intact or compact, plant leaves turn yellowish.

So, if you notice that the leaves of the plants are yellow, this may be an indication that the roots are compacted. The compact roots don’t deliver proper nutrients to the plant. This is why the leaf’s color changes and you know how unpleasant yellow shades are.

2. Nutrient Deficiency

This is the most common reason why the plant’s leaves turn yellowish. Lack of iron may result in stunted plant growth, and leaves start fading. Sometimes, the plants are unable to utilize the nutrients properly. Therefore, it may result in the yellow color of the leaves.

In addition to this, the pH imbalance can also disturb the absorption of nutrients from the soil. This results in discolored leaves.

How to Know?

Check for nutrient deficiencies such as potassium, nitrogen, and others. It may lead to the yellow color of the leaves.

How to Fix?

Adding manure and fertilizers can help to fix the problem. If you have already added fertilizers, then adjust the pH of the soil. Then, you can go for the soil test to check the nutrient deficiency and find the root cause of the yellow color of the leaves.

3. Lack of Water

One of the most prominent reasons for yellow leaves on plants is the lack of water. Some plants can tolerate water scarcity conditions. However, some plants don’t tolerate water scarcity. Due to lack of moisture, the plant’s leaves’ color fades away. This is the prime reason why the plant leaves turn yellow.

How to Know?

The yellow color of leaves, dry soils, stunted growth of the plant, and leaves may become brittle and droopy.

How to Fix?

Maintain the moisture in the soil. This will help fix all the problems and keep your plant green for longer. In addition to this, you can also add mulch into the soil to maintain moisture. This, in turn, helps to bring back the plant’s health.

4. Leaves Turn Yellow When They Do Not Receive Enough Sunlight

Plant leaves turn yellowish when they do not receive enough light. The light is helpful to proceed with the process of photosynthesis, which helps keep the leaves green and healthy. However, if they do not receive adequate light, it may cause diseases and turn the color of the leaves yellow.

This problem arises in money plants as well. You should check our article helping you to grow and take care of money plants.

How to Know?

Premature leaf dropping, leaf fading, and yellow color of the leaves are the reasons for yellow leaves on plants.

How to Fix?

Keep the plant under the sunlight for optimum hours to deal with the problem. Keep your indoor plants in the sunlight for six to eight hours once a week so that they can receive sunlight properly.

5. Overwatering Plants Turn Leaves Yellow

There are many reasons for yellow leaves on plants and one major one is overwatering. Some plant needs too much water to live healthier. But overwatering plants can lead to the plant’s demise and may result in discolored plants. So when you notice that the plant leaf’s color is changing, make sure to check the water level in the soil.

Also Read: How to Prepare Soil for Planting

The roots that are droning into the water cannot survive properly and cannot breathe. Therefore, detect whether you are overwatering your plant or not before making any conclusion.

How to Know?

The yellow color of the leaves, roots droning, roots arising outward from the soil, and nasty odor coming from the plant are some of the indicators of why plants leave turning into yellow color.

How to Fix?

Ensure that your soil drains water properly. If possible, use potted plants with holes to drain the excess water. But if you are growing a plant in the garden, avoid overwatering.

6. Diseases Can Turn the Leaves Yellow

Some plant diseases could be the reasons for yellow leaves on plants. The disease may happen due to pest attacks, and soil is contaminated with the pests. However, some of the diseases may cause due by bacteria and fungal infections.

These diseases may result in leaf discoloration. Some of the diseases such as black spots, leaf spots, mosaic viruses, and rust can also change the leaf’s color.

How to Know?

Notice the symptoms of pests and diseases and find the root cause. Then, you can take the sample for testing in the labs to find the cause of the disease.

How to Fix?

The solution may depend on the root cause, and you can take expert advice to get the right solution. But, first, dispose of the damaged plant and parts to avoid further infection.

7. Overfeeding Plants with Fertilizers

Adding fertilizers in excess quantity can also result in the yellow color of the leaves. Fertilizers may support the growth of the plants and keep them healthy. But just like overeating creates health issues similarly, overfeeding plants with nutrients may damage them.

It can turn the color of leaves into yellow and may prevent the growth of the plants. Moreover, overfeeding your plants with fertilizers can prevent blooming as well.

How to Know?

The yellow color of the leaves, wilted leaves, root rotting, leaf drop, stunted growth, and browning of the leaves you can notice if you are overfeeding your plants with nutrients. You may notice the crusts of the fertilizers on the soil surface.

How to Fix?

Remove the excess crust off the fertilizers from the top of the soil. You can also remove the yellow leaves and dead leaves so that it doesn’t disturb the plant’s growth. Do not add fertilizers more if you have already applied.

8. Freezing Temperature May Turns Leaves Color

Some plants cannot tolerate the excess cold, especially tropical plants. In extreme winter conditions, the plants start dropping, and the plant color fades away. The plants that are sensitive to temperature can easily affect and show stunted growth and discolored leaves.

How to Know?

Leaf dropping and yellow leaves are the signs that your plant is reacting to freezing temperatures.

How to Fix?

Keep the plants indoors when it’s freezing temperature outside. If possible, then keep them in the greenhouse.

9. Pest Infestation May Result in Yellow Color Leaves

Plants are prone to pest attacks, and they deal with so many pests during their growing season. Plant pests such as mites, aphids, and mealybugs are the most pest that may attack the plants. It turns the plant leaves yellowish and may damage the plant.

So, one of the major reasons for yellow leaves on plants might be due to the pest attack.

How to Know?

Manually check the plant for the pest attack. See the leaf’s bases and rotting signs. Some pest eats away the leaves and creates holes. Pest attack results in the yellow color of the leaves.

How to Fix?

Manually handpick the pest such as mites and flies. Remove the infected plant’s parts. Apply neem oil and soapy water solution if needed to eliminate the pests. It helps prevent the discoloring of the leaves and keeps the plant healthy.

Keep your Plants Healthy and Green!

In a nutshell, these are some reasons for yellow leaves on plants. Check the symptoms as early as possible and treat them on time to fix yellow leaves on plants.

This will help to avoid the issue of leaf discoloration and keep your plants healthy. In addition to this, you can check the health of the plants and maintain nutrition to avoid such issues.

Do you think there are more reasons for yellow leaves on plants? If yes, do let us know how to fix them so that it can help our readers.

Also, have you faced yellow leaves on plants problem? What measures you have taken to treat yellow leaves on plants? Do share your views in the comments section below, we would appreciate it.