What should I do if the leaves of the cast iron plant turn yellow?
The cast iron plant has many names; people also call it large-leaf evergreen, spider's egg, bamboo-leaf tray, nine-dragon tray, and so on. It is in fact a Chinese medicinal herb, and both the fresh and dried forms can be used as medicine to treat bruises and other external injuries. Because it has a rather distinctive appearance, many people keep the cast iron plant as a potted plant at home to decorate their surroundings. Because some people do not understand the growing habits of the cast iron plant, the phenomenon of leaves turning yellow easily appears during care, so what should be done?
1. Reasons for the leaves of the cast iron plant turning yellow
1. Too much light or lack of light during the care of the cast iron plant
The cast iron plant is a plant that likes shade and fears direct strong light. Its leaves are very broad and thick, with high ornamental value, which is also why many people like to grow the cast iron plant. Because some friends do not understand its habits, they keep it outdoors or indoors for a long time, and whether in summer with continuous sunlight or in winter and spring with long spells of rain, they do not move the pot, so the cast iron plant will show withered, scorched leaves due to direct strong light, and will also show pale, yellow, and wilted leaves due to long-term lack of sunlight.
2. Fertilizer too concentrated or long-term lack of fertilizer
This is also a mistake often made by many beginners at growing green plants: either they give concentrated, heavy fertilizer whenever they think of fast growth, or they buy it and then ignore it, leaving it to fend for itself without topdressing. If the fertilizer is too concentrated, root burn easily occurs, and then the leaves will turn withered and yellow. With long-term lack of fertilizer, the leaf color is pale and growth is slow, and the old leaves will turn yellow and fall off.
3. Too much watering or long-term lack of water
Because the cast iron plant likes to grow in a moist environment, many people water too frequently during care, which affects the air permeability of the potting soil and causes the leaves to turn yellow.
Plant growth needs not only nutrients but also water, especially in summer, when the temperature is high and water evaporates quickly. If you do not water for a long time, water is naturally insufficient, leading to yellowing and wilting of the leaves.
4. Invasion by pests and diseases
Like other green plants, the cast iron plant is very prone to insect pests, especially red spider mites, which are more likely to occur when the environment is too humid and not ventilated. Once affected by pests, the leaves will turn yellow.
2. Solutions for the leaves of the cast iron plant turning yellow
1. Solution for the leaves of the cast iron plant turning yellow due to improper light: If you keep it indoors for a long time, remember to place it in a sunny spot with diffused light, but do not put it on a balcony or windowsill where it can easily receive direct sunlight. In summer, shade it properly and lower the temperature; in winter, when there is no sun for a long time, move it outdoors to bask in the sun as soon as there is sunlight.
2. Solution for the leaves of the cast iron plant turning yellow due to improper fertilizing: The principle of fertilizing is to decide according to the plant's growth condition. If growth is normal, there is no need for extra fertilizer. If slow growth and similar phenomena are found, you may apply a proper topdressing, but do not give too much or too heavy fertilizer at one time, as it easily backfires, because you cannot become fat in one bite and it will also make your stomach bulge.
3. Solution for the leaves of the cast iron plant turning yellow due to improper watering: Water by the rule of watering when dry and stopping when wet; potting soil that is too dry or too wet is not good for growth. If yellowing of the leaves has already appeared at this point, you need to see whether it is caused by too much watering or long-term lack of water. If there is too much watering, you need to replace the potting soil and replant it; if there is long-term lack of water, you need to replenish water, not by pouring too much at one time, but slowly pouring it from the edge of the potting soil, and wait until growth returns to normal before restoring the watering amount.
4. Leaves of the cast iron plant turning yellow due to invasion by pests and diseases: To prevent invasion by pests and diseases in the cast iron plant, you must keep the leaves clean for a long time; usually pay attention to spraying water or washing the leaves. Once it happens, give treatment promptly so as not to affect healthy plants.
The above is an introduction to the reasons and solutions for the leaves of the cast iron plant turning yellow. If similar situations appear during your care, you can refer to it. If none of them apply, it may also be the plant's normal growth state, and it will return to normal after some time.