Houseplant getting yellow leaves
Difficulty: Easy · Time: approx. 15 minutes
Yellow leaves are a houseplant's most common cry for help. By far the most frequent cause is too much water – the roots sit wet and get no air. Less often it's lack of light, draughts or nutrient deficiency.
The good news: if you react early, the plant usually recovers. Already-yellowed leaves won't turn green again, though – you can remove those.
What you'll need
- Your fingers (moisture test)
- Watering can
- Pot with drainage holes + saucer
- Optional: fresh potting soil for repotting
- Optional: liquid fertiliser (during the growing season)
Step by step
- 1
Check the soil
Push a finger 2–3 cm into the soil. If it feels moist, do NOT water. Most houseplants only want water again once the top layer has dried out.
- 2
Remove waterlogging
Tip excess water out of the saucer – the plant must not stand in water. Check that the pot has drainage holes.
- 3
Check the location
Is the plant too dark, in a draught or above a radiator? Move it to a bright spot without harsh midday sun and without cold draughts.
- 4
Remove yellow leaves
Cut or pluck off fully yellowed leaves – they won't turn green again and only cost the plant energy.
- 5
Repot or feed if needed
If the soil smells rotten or the roots are brown and mushy: repot into fresh soil. During the growing season feed sparingly if it hasn't been done for a while.
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Upload a photo →Frequently asked questions
- Too much or too little water – how do I tell?
- Too much: soft, yellow leaves, moist soil, maybe a rotten smell. Too little: dry, brown leaf edges, bone-dry soil. The finger test gives the answer.
- Will the yellow leaves turn green again?
- No. A fully yellowed leaf won't recover. What matters is fixing the cause so the new leaves stay healthy.