Yellow Leaves + Fading to Green + or Bright Yellow =
These symptoms together mean that your plant is overwatered. Usually lower leaves drop first, although the whole plant may be affected. The solution = repot (to remove soaked soil) and water less, or let soil dry out and water less.
Some bounce back quickly, others languish and may never be the same. Read my guide to fixing overwatered houseplants to help fix this problem. If the overwatering problem is caught early, then the yellow leaves may turn green again, but if the damage is significant, then these leaves will continue their demise.
Nitrogen is often the first nutrient that comes to mind as the culprit when leaves turn yellow, but it is not the only one. Yellowing of the leaves can also indicate that the soil is lacking other nutrients such as iron, manganese, or zinc.
Additionally, too much fertilizer can yellow leaves and is likely to prevent blooms and fruits from forming. Key indicators: Leaves might yellow and wilt. Other symptoms include root rot, stunted growth, leaf drop, or browning of leaf tips. There may also be a visible crust of fertilizer on the surface of the soil.
A yellow leaf has lost its chlorophyll (pigment) and it can't turn green again even after you correct the problem. Don't worry, if the plant regains its health, it's possible that new leaves will fill in during the next growing season. Growing plants is always a matter of patience.
Q. How often should plants be watered? Water once or twice per week, using enough water to moisten the soil to a depth of about 6 inches each time.
Warning: Never cut off yellow leaves!
Whatever the cause, the first thing NOT to do is cut off those yellow leaves. If you do trim yellowing leaves, you're cutting off your plant's temporary life support! Until you find out why and fix what's wrong, put down the snips.
If it feels soft and limp, it is overwatered. Yellowing leaves: Usually accompanied by new growth falling, yellow leaves are an indication of overwatering. However, yellow, curling lower leaves can also be an indication of underwatering. Check the soil for moisture to decide which it may be.
Plants need light, but too much of a good thing can affect your plant's health and cause leaves to turn yellow. Sunburn may cause dark burn-like spots on leaves or can cause full yellowing of leaves receiving too much sun.
The good news is that most plants will bounce back between 7-14 days if they're given proper care (which includes rehydration). If this isn't possible because major damage was done or little healthy root system exists then expect about 2 weeks until improvement can be seen.
When plants have too little water, leaves turn brown and wilt. This also occurs when plants have too much water. The biggest difference between the two is that too little water will result in your plant's leaves feeling dry and crispy to the touch while too much water results in soft and limp leaves.
Limp brown leaves
However, like yellow leaves, brown leaves on overwatered plants are usually limp, not crisp. Additionally, overwatering can cause brown spots with yellow edges to appear in the middle of leaves. In underwatered plants, brown spots usually start at the tips of leaves rather than the middle.
Signs of root rot are slow growth, mushy stems, and wilting, yellow, distorted leaves (especially when the plant has been well watered, as wilting leaves can also be a sign of a dry plant).
There is never a guarantee that your plant can bounce back from overwatering. If your plant is going to survive, you will see results within a week or so. At this point, you can move your plant back to its original location and resume watering it as normal.
If the soil feels dry, it's time to water. In the spring and fall and in cooler climates, it might be sufficient to water container plants every two to three days. In the summer and in warm climates, container plants usually require daily watering, unless they are succulents or other drought-tolerant xeriscape plants.
The best time to water your garden in summer is from 6 am to 10 am—before the heat of the day sets in, giving your plants plenty of time to drink up and any moisture on the leaves to dry off before nightfall. What is this? If watering in the morning isn't possible, the next best time is from 4 pm to 7 pm.
Water Young Plants and Flowers Daily Until Established
Most young varieties call for daily watering (skip rainy days) until roots are developed, which happens around the two week mark. At that point, you can taper off and move to a weekly schedule if the variety allows.
While under- and overwatering are the two most common reasons for yellowing leaves, if you've ruled them out as potential causes, a pest infestation may be to blame. Although difficult to see with the naked eye, mealybugs or spider mites may be provoking your plant.
The most common reason that plants' leaves turn yellow is because of moisture stress, which can be from either over watering or under watering.
When you see dead leaves, dormant stems, or brown parts of leaves, cut them away. It's fine to pluck dead leaves or stems with your hands when possible, just don't pull too hard, or you may damage the healthy part of your plant. For tougher stems or to remove brown leaf tips and edges, use scissors or pruning shears.