Pothos plants are easy to care for, making them great even for gardeners with brown thumbs!
Pothos leaves turning yellow is a sign there is something wrong with the plant. However, it is not a death sentence and the resilient plant can bounce back when the underlying issue is fixed.
Continue reading to learn more about different reasons why Pothos leaves turn yellow, how you can fix common problems, and general Pothos care tips to prevent this from happening again.
Learn about general Pothos care with this complete care guide
1. Pothos leaves turning yellow due to over watering
The most common cause of yellow Pothos leaves is over watering. Yellow leaves and brown, wilting stems are signs your Pothos plant has received too much water.
To avoid over watering, make sure you check that the top two to three inches of soil are dry. Stick a finger in the soil to check the moisture. If it still feels wet, wait a few days before checking again.
When it is time to water, pour until you notice liquid flowing out of the drainage hole of the pot. Discard any water that has collected in the saucer so that the plant does not sit in water for too long. The soil should be damp, but not soaking when you are done watering.
Plant the Pothos in well-draining soil that has perlite mixed in to increase aeration of the soil.
Avoid planting in a pot that is much larger than the plant. The excess soil in the pot retains too much water and suffocates the roots. Terracotta pots help remove excess water from the soil and are better than plastic pots.
Note: plants require less water during the winter, or if they are in low-light environments. Let the plant dry out more in between watering if this is the case.
Root Rot
Root rot is a fungal infection that occurs due to over watering. The excess water drowns the roots, preventing aeration and causing plant death. When the Pothos is removed from the soil, you will see brown or black, slimy roots.
If root rot is caught early, the Pothos plant can be saved. With a clean pair of garden shears or scissors, cut off the diseased roots (disinfect the scissors in between each cut) and replant in fresh, well-draining soil. In addition, snip off the yellow leaves on the plant. If many leaves are yellow, trim a few leaves at a time rather than all at once so that the plant is able to bounce back.
Some sources state that applying cinnamon to the exposed plant tissue helps reduce the spread of rot because the powder acts as a fungicide.
Clean the old pot with soap and water before planting again. Place the plant in a sunny area with good air circulation to help it dry out faster.
If the damage is extensive, you may not be able to save the plant. This is especially true if the stems are extensively brown or wilted and all of the leaves appear yellow.
Do not mist plants with root rot because this further exacerbates the problem by increasing moisture.
If your Pothos leaves are drooping or wilting, check out this guide.
2. Pothos leaves turning yellow due to natural growth
Another common cause of yellow leaves is normal plant growth. If the plant is showing new growth and only the older leaves at the bottom are turning yellow, this is natural and nothing to worry about it. As your Pothos grows, it absorbs energy from the younger leaves, causing them to yellow and die.
Nothing needs to be done if the only the older leaves are turning yellow.
3. Pothos leaves turning yellow due to low humidity
Low humidity causes Pothos leaves to droop, and turn brown or yellow. Pothos like warm, humid environments, so it is no surprise that they will be unhappy in dry air.
Make sure your Pothos is not near AC vents or heaters, as the air near these is quite dry.
To increase humidity, mist the leaves with a spray bottle, or keep a humidifier nearby. You can also place a pebble tray with water near the pot- as the water evaporates from the tray, it increases humidity around the plant.
4. Pothos leaves turning yellow due to improper lighting
Pothos prefer bright, indirect light and are even tolerant of lower light conditions. However, be careful to not keep your Pothos in complete shade because that could cause yellow leaves.
On the other hand, full sun will burn the leaves and lead to brown spots, so it is important to maintain a balance.
Keep your Pothos a few feet away from an east or west-facing window– these locations provide bright, indirect light that the plant needs. South-facing windows tend to have very bright light that can be too harsh. If your plant is near a south-facing window, move it further away or cover the window with a shear curtain.
Rotate the Pothos every few days so the growth is even on all sides.
5. Pothos leaves turning yellow due to improper fertilization
Nutrient imbalances are a less common cause of Pothos leaves turning yellow. If you have corrected all of the above reasons and the plant still has yellow leaves, this could be a possible cause.
Fertilize your Pothos plant once a month with a dilute fertilizer during it’s growing season (from spring to summer). To prevent fertilizer burn, do not fertilize more often than once a month, fertilize during the winter, or use a strong fertilizer.
If you over fertilized your plant, flush out the soil with water to remove excess salts or repot the plant in fresh soil.
Note: if you have fertilized your plant at least twice in the past year, nutrient deficiency is unlikely. Nutrient deficiency is more likely If you have not fertilized your plant at all. If this is the case, try fertilizing and see if the yellowing improves.
Watch out for pests!
Pothos with yellow leaves are weakened and unhealthy, making them more susceptible to infestations by pests such as mealy bugs, spider mites or scale. An infestation further weakens the plant and accelerates yellowing.
If you have a plant with yellow leaves, keep an eye on it for signs of insects. Pay close attention to the undersides of leaves because pests often hide in the folds of the plant. Signs of infestation include: misshapen leaves, sticky webbing, or new discoloration. Immediately quarantine the plant if you notice these signs so that the infestation does not spread.
Wash the plant under a stream of water, such as a hose or shower head, to dislodge the insects. Spray with neem oil, diluted rubbing alcohol, or an insecticidal soap. This removes pests without damaging the plant.
Repeat this process once every few days for several weeks to completely remove the infestation.
Pothos Plant Care
In general, Pothos are low-maintenance plants, and are happy if kept in the following conditions:
| Sunlight | Prefers bright, indirect light, but is able to tolerate low-light environments. However, do not keep it in direct sunlight because that burns the leaves. | |
| Water | Water about once a week when the top two inches of soil are dry. They prefer moist, but not soaking soil. Do not over water because that leads to root rot. Remember, you need to water less often in the winter or if your plant is in the shade. | |
| Soil | Plant in well-draining, porous soil. Mix in perlite to increase drainage and reduce water retention. | |
| Temperature | Pothos are tolerant of a wide range of temperatures but are happiest when kept warm, in temperatures from 70 to 90 °F (21 to 32 °C). They prefer humid conditions. | |
| Toxicity | Toxic to cats, dogs and children, so keep out of their reach. |
In summary for Pothos leaves turning yellow…
5 common reasons for Pothos leaves turning yellow include:
- Over watering
- Natural growth
- Low humidity
- Improper lighting
- Improper fertilization
Pothos are low-maintenance plants that are able to handle a wide range of growing conditions. Yellow leaves are a common problem, but they can be fixed with changes to plant care. Once you find the reason why your Pothos leaves are turning yellow, the plant should bounce back when the problem is fixed.
Provide your Pothos plant with bright, indirect light, water when the top layer of soil is dry, place it somewhere warm, and plant in well-draining soil so it can thrive.
See other plant specific care guides here.
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