Pothos is hailed as an indoor air purifier, so what should you do when its leaves turn yellow?

Pothos is one of the most common potted plants in homes or offices; whether placed on the floor, on a table, or hung in the air, it is a beautiful sight. Besides growing it in soil, pothos can also be grown in water, and because it is relatively easy to care for, it is deeply loved by people. Beyond its decorative role, pothos can also help purify the air, adding a touch of new color to the home bedroom while also letting people live a true “green life.” During the care of pothos, the phenomenon of leaves turning yellow often occurs. What causes this? What is the best way to handle it?

1. What causes pothos leaves to turn yellow?

1. Improper lighting

Pothos is a plant that likes to grow in cool, humid, and warm conditions. Many people buy pothos and place it outdoors or on a balcony and then leave it alone. When the sun is too strong or the temperature is too high, it easily scorches the leaves, specifically showing as the parts of the leaves facing the sun turning yellow.

2. Environmental problems

Whether people or plants, both need a certain process of adapting to the environment. When pothos arrives in a new home and the environment changes, and in some cases it is also repotted, these changes can all cause the leaves to turn yellow. The specific sign is that the old leaves turn black and yellow, while the new leaves are fine.

3. Improper watering

Pothos does not need too much water to grow, because it grows better in a humid and warm environment. Especially in autumn and winter, too much or too little water can cause the leaves to turn yellow. The main sign of too little watering is that the leaf edges become dry and yellow; the main sign of too much watering is that the newly grown leaves grow slowly and are dull yellow with no luster.

4. Improper ventilation

When pothos is kept for a long time indoors without ventilation, the whole plant can easily turn yellow. The synthesis of chlorophyll requires light, and a dark, unventilated place cannot meet that requirement.

5. Improper fertilizing

If too little fertilizer is applied, the leaf color becomes lighter and gradually turns yellow; if too much fertilizer is applied or it is not diluted after fertilizing, the main sign is brown tips on new leaves, while old leaves become dry and yellow.

6. Root rot problems

Root rot caused by any reason can lead to yellowing leaves. The main sign is that the color of newly grown leaves becomes lighter and gradually turns yellow.

7. Natural growth

When pothos grows naturally, it will go through a process of aging. New leaves grow out, and old leaves turn yellow and decline. This is a natural phenomenon.

2. How do you treat pothos leaves turning yellow?

1. Treatment for improper lighting: Place the pothos in a ventilated spot with light, water and fertilize reasonably, and it will improve after a period of recovery.

2. Treatment for environmental problems: There is no need to worry too much about this. Generally, it will return to normal after adapting for a period of time. It is worth noting that when repotting, be sure not to damage the roots of the pothos.

3. Treatment for improper watering: Appropriately increase or reduce the amount of watering according to the condition shown by the leaves.

4. Treatment for improper ventilation: If you find that yellowing leaves are caused by ventilation problems, simply move the pothos to a ventilated place with light and it will recover.

5. Treatment for improper fertilizing: If it is caused by a lack of fertilizer, just pay attention to supplementary fertilizing. If it is caused by too much fertilizer, you can change the potting soil to ensure healthy growth afterward.

6. Treatment for root rot problems: After discovering root rot, promptly cut off the rotted roots, apply plant ash to the wounds to help recovery, replace the potting soil, and make sure there is no standing water in the pot. It can recover after a period of time.

7. Treatment for natural growth: No special handling is needed; just strengthen routine management.

Summary: There are many reasons why pothos leaves turn yellow, and it is very important to learn to identify which situation is causing it. If it is discovered and handled in time, it will not affect its normal growth.