Why Pothos Leaves Turn Yellow and How to Fix It

Yellowing leaves on pothos (Epipremnum aureum) are a fairly common problem in home care, usually caused by unsuitable environmental conditions such as watering, light, nutrients or temperature. When you notice yellow leaves, there is no need to throw the plant out in a hurry; first observe the specific form of the yellowing, then adjust your care accordingly, and in most cases the plant will gradually recover.

Improper watering is a common cause of yellow leaves in pothos. Watering too frequently keeps the potting soil wet for long periods, which hinders root respiration and can even cause root rot, with leaves typically turning dull yellow and soft; prolonged lack of water, on the other hand, makes leaves dry out and yellow from the edges inward. Generally, you can wait until the soil surface dries and then water thoroughly once, taking care to avoid standing water in the pot.

Light and temperature also affect leaf color. Pothos likes bright, indirect light; long exposure to direct sun can burn yellow spots into the leaves, while sitting for a long time in too dark a corner makes the leaf color fade and turn yellow. In addition, pothos is not cold-tolerant, and low winter temperatures easily cause cold-damage yellowing, so it should be moved to a warm spot for care.

Nutrient problems can also cause yellow leaves. When the plant has not been repotted or the soil changed for a long time and lacks nitrogen fertilizer, the older leaves often turn yellow first; while a single overly concentrated fertilizing can burn the roots. In care, it is best to apply light fertilizer frequently, adding appropriately diluted liquid fertilizer during the peak growing season, while loosening the soil and repotting regularly.

If only a few old leaves at the bottom turn yellow naturally, this is normal metabolism and they can simply be pruned off in time. In daily care, also keep good ventilation, watch for signs of pests and diseases, and remove diseased leaves promptly. Once you pinpoint the cause and adjust accordingly, pothos usually grows new leaves fairly quickly and returns to a lush green.