Why do pothos leaves turn yellow and how should it be fixed?

Many owners, when growing pothos, feel that pothos is tough and vigorous, so they do not pay much attention to its care, and in the end the pothos leaves turn yellow. So, why do pothos leaves turn yellow? How should it be fixed? Here is an introduction; let us take a look together.

Why do pothos leaves turn yellow?

Reason for yellow pothos leaves: improper watering

Overwatering or underwatering pothos can both cause leaves to turn yellow. To tell the difference, observe how the yellowing shows up: if the leaf tips or edges are scorched and dry, the newly emerged young leaves grow normally, and the old leaves turn yellow and drop, then it is underwatering; on the contrary, if the leaf surface is dark yellow and dull, and the newly grown leaf tips shrink and stop growing, it may be overwatering. You can also judge based on how much you have been watering.

Reason for yellow pothos leaves: sunlight issues

Pothos does not like too much sunlight and prefers a cool, shaded growing environment, which is also why it can grow well indoors. So if you happen to place pothos somewhere that receives direct sunlight for long periods, you have probably found the reason its leaves are turning yellow. But too much of a good thing can backfire: if your area happens to have insufficient sunlight, the yellowing of pothos leaves may also be caused by a lack of chlorophyll synthesis.

Reason for yellow pothos leaves: fertilizer application

The effect of fertilizing on yellow pothos leaves must also be considered at two extremes. With too much fertilizer, the leaves become thick and fleshy and lose their luster, and the old leaves turn yellow and drop; with too little fertilizer, especially a lack of nitrogen fertilizer, the leaf color fades, first transitioning to light green, then gradually turning yellow, with the leaves at the base turning yellow first while the top leaves still retain their texture.

How should yellow pothos leaves be fixed?

The solution for yellow pothos leaves should be adjusted according to the cause of the yellowing. Because pothos can be propagated by cuttings, each node of its stem bears a leaf bud, and taking just one node for planting will allow it to grow. So when the leaves of a grown pothos turn yellow severely, you can remove the rotted roots, pick off the yellow leaves, and replant the cuttings; note that when water-propagating, you should change to fresh water. You can also cut off the vines whose leaves have not yet turned yellow and replant them. During planting, bury two to three nodes, and for water propagation also two to three nodes, and change the water once every three to four days (boiled cool water is best). Right after planting, it must not be exposed to strong direct light; place it in a spot with weaker light, and in about 20 days the newly planted pothos will root and grow.

The editor reminds everyone that if you want to remove yellow pothos leaves, be careful not to pull them off directly; you can use scissors to cut them off from the middle of the leaf stalk, to avoid water loss and a very bad effect on the growth of the pothos.