Yellow Leaves on Your Pothos Plant? Here’s What You Need to Know

Are you wondering what causes pothos to have yellow leaves? If so, then read this article fully to get an answer to all your questions regarding this issue.

There are several reasons behind the yellowish appearance of the leaves of your pothos. Most of them are associated with water conditions. Other reasons are nutrient deficiency, insect damage, and temperature fluctuations.

In this article, we will go over all the factors that cause this issue and answer every question that you may have regarding yellow pothos leaves.

Let’s get started!

As we venture further into the central theme of this article, allow me to introduce the products I endorse for cultivating flourishing Pothos plants. These are items I’ve personally evaluated, reviewed, and now endorse for you and my consulting clients.

Costa Farms Live Pothos Plant
9.7/10
  • Elevate Your Space: This Pothos plant transforms interiors, adding flair and starting conversations. Potted for convenience, it enhances aesthetics.
  • Breathe Easy: Pothos plants purify air, eliminating toxins. Create a healthier environment with this trailing plant.
  • Boost Mood & Wellbeing: Pothos enhances mood, creativity, and reduces stress. Studies confirm its calming effects, perfect for home or office.
 
 
Giraffe Creation 9 inch Plant Pots
9.5/10
  • Self-Watering Convenience: Enjoy up to two weeks of worry-free watering with the deep reservoir, perfect for vacations or busy schedules.
  • Effective Drainage System: Dozens of drainage holes and a bottom reservoir prevent root rot and overwatering, promoting plant health.
  • Modern Aesthetic: Its minimalist design complements any decor, showcasing your plants beautifully in both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Professional Liquid Pothos Plant Fertilizer
9.1/10
  • Vibrant Growth: Our 3-1-2 blend boosts nutrient absorption for healthy plants. Essential for leaves, stems, blooms.
  • Indoor Perfect: For Pothos, Epipremnums, houseplants - fuels growth, lush leaves, vibrant colors.
  • Effortlessly Effective: Liquid concentrate mixes easily, promotes growth, strong roots, lush foliage. Trusted small business brand, ideal for plant enthusiasts.
 
 
 
Yellow Pothos Leaves

Why Pothos Leaves Turn Yellow?

The leaves of a pothos plant will turn yellow for various reasons. One reason is that the plant is not getting enough light. Another reason is that the plant is not getting enough water. A third reason is that the plant is not getting enough nutrients.

If you can correct the problem, the plant can eliminate the yellow leaves and grow new green leaves again.

The most common reason for yellow leaves is water shortage. In fact, water is mandatory for healthy leaves. When a plant is not getting enough water, its leaves will begin to dry out and then become yellow.

Also, when a pothos grows in low light, it can experience the yellowing of its leaves. This is because the plant is unable to produce enough chlorophyll.

Chlorophyll is necessary for the production of energy and green leaves. Without chlorophyll, plants can’t produce the food they need to survive. Additionally, chlorophyll can help a plant fight against infections and diseases, making the plant more resistant to these things.

Additionally, when pothos lacks nutrients, it will also exhibit yellow leaves. Because the plant is not getting enough nutrients, it will not be able to photosynthesize properly. As a result, the leaves will become yellow.

In some cases, yellow leaves are the result of a disease. The most common conditions that cause yellow leaves are Fusarium wilt, Pythium root rot, and Anthracnose.

Costa Farms Live Pothos Plant
  • Elevate Your Space: This Pothos plant transforms interiors, adding flair and starting conversations. Potted for convenience, it enhances aesthetics.
  • Breathe Easy: Pothos plants purify air, eliminating toxins. Create a healthier environment with this trailing plant.
  • Boost Mood & Wellbeing: Pothos enhances mood, creativity, and reduces stress. Studies confirm its calming effects, perfect for home or office.
 
 

Is Your Njoy Pothos Taking Forever to Grow? Read this article to Find Out Why!

Can Yellow Pothos Leaves Turn Green Again?

Yellow pothos leaves can’t turn green again. However, if the plant is given proper care, new green leaves can quickly show up. This includes providing the plant with enough water and sunlight.

If the leaves start to turn yellow again, it may be necessary to re-pot the plant in a larger container.

Giraffe Creation 9 inch Plant Pots
  • Self-Watering Convenience: Enjoy up to two weeks of worry-free watering with the deep reservoir, perfect for vacations or busy schedules.

  • Effective Drainage System: Dozens of drainage holes and a bottom reservoir prevent root rot and overwatering, promoting plant health.

  • Modern Aesthetic: Its minimalist design complements any decor, showcasing your plants beautifully in both indoor and outdoor spaces.

What to Do When Pothos Leaves Turn Yellow?

If you’ve noticed that the leaves of your pothos plant are turning yellow, there are a few steps you can take to try and address the issue. First, it’s important to adjust your watering habits. Pothos plants generally prefer regular watering, but if the leaves are turning yellow, it’s time to cut back on watering.

As a general rule, you should water your pothos weekly during the summer and once every two weeks during the winter.

To make sure you’re not overwatering, you can use a moisture meter to check the soil before watering – only water when the soil is dry. Additionally, try to water your pothos in the morning so the plant has time to dry out during the day.

Another thing you can try is increasing the amount of light your pothos plant is getting. You can do this by placing the plant near a west-facing window or using a grow light.

Finally, you can try providing more nutrients to the plant by spraying it with a balanced liquid all-purpose fertilizer with a 10:10:10 or 20:20:20 NPK ratio.

By following these steps, you may be able to eliminate yellow leaves on your pothos plant and encourage healthy growth.

Professional Liquid Pothos Plant Fertilizer
  • Vibrant Growth: Our 3-1-2 blend boosts nutrient absorption for healthy plants. Essential for leaves, stems, blooms.
  • Indoor Perfect: For Pothos, Epipremnums, houseplants - fuels growth, lush leaves, vibrant colors.
  • Effortlessly Effective: Liquid concentrate mixes easily, promotes growth, strong roots, lush foliage. Trusted small business brand, ideal for plant enthusiasts.
 
 
 

Interested in Hawaiian Pothos Plant? Check out our article about this beautiful plant.

Should I Cut Yellow Leaves Off Pothos?

Using a scissor to Cut Yellow Leaves Off Pothos

Many people believe that removing the yellow leaves will help the pothos to grow more vigorously, while others say that the leaves will eventually fall off on their own and that there is no need to interfere. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide whether or not to remove the leaves.

However, removing the infested leaves is mandatory if the cause of yellow leaves is a disease. Additionally, cutting the yellow leaves will allow the plant to focus its energy on creating new green ones. So, If you want to encourage more growth of green leaves, cut back the yellow leaves immediately.

If you want to remove yellow leaves from your pothos, read the following section to learn how to do this step by step.

Read our article about satin pothos to discover the beauty of this plant.

How to Remove Yellow Leaves from Pothos?

To remove yellow leaves from pothos, you will need to prepare a pair of gloves pruning shears, and a bag to gather all the dead leaves. Then you will need to follow the steps below:

Step 1: to remove dead leaves from your pothos without causing any damage, you should use a sharp knife or scissors.

Step 2: cut the dead leaf from the base of the plant and throw it in the bag. This can help avoid damage to the plant’s stem. Be careful not to break the stem of the plant. After removing the yellow leaves, you must carefully trim the new growth using a sharp knife or scissors.

Step 4: Check if the soil is dry using your finger or a moister meter before watering the plant. Then water your pothos thoroughly.

Step 5: Place your pothos in a sunny location to allow the soil to dry and the leaves to photosynthesize.

Get to Know the Snow Queen Pothos: Click here to read our article about this plant.

Why are the Leaves of My Pothos Are Yellowing After Repotting?

Pothos leaves turn yellow after repoting if the plant experiences a shock. When a plant is repotted, it starts growing in a new environment. This can cause the plant to become stressed, leading to the leaves turning yellow.

If you notice that the leaves of your pothos are turning yellow after reporting, don’t panic! The plant will still be fine and survive. What you need to do is ensure that the plant has enough nutrients and water.

The following instructions can help in this case.

  • Ensure that the soil is well-drained and the pH level is similar to where the plant was before reporting: Pothos loves an acidic environment. If you’ve recently changed your soil, try keeping the soil properties the same as before.
  •  Use a pot slightly bigger than the old one: If you’re repotting a Pothos, make sure you use a larger pot for the plant. It will be fine as long as the plant isn’t too cramped. 
  •  Water well: You must provide your plant with plenty of water right after moving it to the new pot. The soil may have been depleted in the previous pot, and the plant may not have had enough nutrients to thrive.
  •  Fertilize the plant: Once it’s moved to the new pot, it’s time to fertilize your pothos. Use a standard fertilizer with a low pH level (aim for 5.5 or below). Pothos loves a low pH level, and regular fertilizers will keep it happy. 

Read This Article to Find out The Best Soil for Your Pothos Plant.

Why Are My Pothos Leaves Turning Yellow in Fall?

The leaves of a pothos plant will turn yellow in the fall as the days get shorter and the plant begins to prepare for winter. This is a natural process that helps the plant conserve energy. The leaves will return to their green color when the days get longer, and the plant begins to grow again in the spring.

Learn About the Elegant Marble Queen Pothos Here.

Why Are My Pothos Leaves Turning Yellow with Black Spots?

Pothos leaves turn yellow with black spots because of an iron deficiency. This can also cause the leaves to curl and the veins to become more visible. If the defect is not corrected, the leaves will eventually die.

Iron deficiency can be remedied by adding an iron supplement to the soil. Iron supplements can be found at most garden stores.

Once the plants have been supplemented, you should see a difference in the leaves within a few weeks.

Click here to find out the truth about pothos and insects.

Leave a Comment

Scroll to Top