Reasons for Yellowing Leaves on Pothos and How to Fix Them

Pothos, also known as golden pothos, originated in the tropical rainforests of Indonesia and the Solomon Islands. It likes warm, humid environments and requires loose, fertile soil with good drainage. Pothos vines grow several meters long, with aerial roots at the nodes; as the plant ages, the stems thicken and the leaves grow larger and larger. The leaves are alternate, green, with a few leaves also slightly mottled with yellow, entire, and heart-shaped.

Generally speaking, there are usually the following five reasons for yellowing pothos leaves:

1) Pothos bought in winter has usually been exposed to cold, so it will quickly develop yellow leaves indoors; after these cold-damaged yellow leaves fall off, new leaves will grow again around Spring Festival.

2) Newly bought pothos generally needs about 1 month to adapt to a new environment, and yellow leaves at the bottom are normal. But remember: do not pull off yellow or dead leaves directly; cut them off from the middle of the leaf stalk, so as to avoid excessive water loss and extra wounds caused by direct removal, which would make the upper leaves turn yellow as well.

3) Although pothos is not afraid of shade, a very dark environment can also cause yellow leaves, so it can be moved regularly to a place with good light; at the same time, it must not be exposed to strong sun. Excessive exposure to strong light will not only cause yellow leaves and leaf drop, but also kill the whole plant.

4) Soil that is too dry or too wet, both conditions will cause abnormal metabolism, damage the root system, and lead to yellow leaves and leaf drop.

5) A lack of fertilizer and poor nutrition can also cause yellow leaves, and fertilizer should be supplemented in time.