Written by Administrator | 01 June 2007

Your plant has always looked great, but now it’s getting yellow leaves. You wonder what you’re doing wrong.  Yellowing leaves can be as natural of an occurrence as animals shedding hair. Losing a few leaves from time to time is no cause for concern.  It’s quite common for plants to lose a few older leaves when new growth comes in.  Changes in the environment, such as temperature and lighting can also cause yellow leaves.  Unless your plant continues to get several yellow leaves for more than a week or two, you probably have nothing to worry about.  

If you have a yellowing plant, check to make sure it’s being watered properly.  Check for any signs of insect infestation or disease.  Do you see webs or a white substance?  Are there any discolored or spotting leaves?  This is something you should always monitor carefully.  Check that the plant is getting proper lighting and isn’t near any vents or drafts.  It’s very common for plants to react to seasonal or location changes. Plants usually recover from this within a few weeks. Just be sure to adjust your watering to the temperature changes.  Many plants start to yellow as they recover from the types of problems discussed here. For example, if you give a big drink to a bone-dry plant, it will react. This is usually temporary.  

Another cause of yellow leaves is age. An older plant is typically not going to do as well as it’s younger counterparts. Unfortunately there isn’t much remedy for this other than giving the plant your TLC.  You may also consider giving the plant some fertilizer. Talk to a plant professional before using any fertilizer, and always follow the instructions carefully.