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Yellow leaves on plants: why they appear and solutions

Yellow leaves on plants: why they appear and solutions

One of the most common symptoms of weakness or disease in plants is that their leaves turn yellow, either in part or in their entirety. This symptom can hide a large number of different problems, so it is worth carefully observing which is the specific case that affects each plant.

This process that yellows the leaves is called chlorosis and it occurs when plants stop producing chlorophyll for some reason, which is the substance that gives the leaf its green color. if you want to learn why do plants grow yellow leaves and what are its possible solutions, join us in this EcologíaVerde article.

Why plant leaves turn yellow: causes

This is a list of the main causes why plant leaves turn yellow

  • Excess irrigation.
  • Lack of irrigation.
  • Soil poor in nutrients.
  • Need for more light.
  • Excess light.
  • Improper soil pH.
  • Weather too cold.
  • Too many drafts.
  • Arrival of autumn.

Next, we will explain each of the causes so that you can better identify which one is affecting your plants and, therefore, you can determine what yellow leaves on plants mean. Also, do not forget to visit our article on Plant pests and diseases, especially if you have observed yellow spots on the leaves of plants.

Excessive irrigation, the main cause of yellow leaves in plants

When all the leaves of the plant or a large number of them adopt a intense yellow color on a regular basis, it is very likely that we have watered the plant in excess or that the substrate or soil does not offer adequate drainage. If you touch the soil and it feels wet and caked, you need to aerate the soil by stirring it up and applying sandy-textured soil to the mix.

Lack of irrigation, cause of plants with yellow and fallen leaves

If the leaves turn yellow by adopting a wrinkled texture and the whole plant seems to droop and lose strength, it most likely needs more water. When one of your plants has suffered a severe drought, do not overwater it. Instead, submerge the entire pot in water for a few minutes, then allow the excess soil to drain away.

Check our article on When to water plants to do it correctly and prevent their leaves from turning yellow.

Plant with yellow leaves due to poor soil

Plants need minerals and nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. When the nutrients in the pot are depleted, the plant will begin to yellow. If this happens, you should either transplant it or apply compost to the soil. Discover How to make homemade organic fertilizer for plants in this other article.

Yellow leaves on plants: why they appear and solutions - Plant with yellow leaves due to poor soil

Yellow leaves on plants due to excess or lack of light

Some plants are not prepared to withstand direct exposure to the sun’s rays, especially in climates where the sun shines very brightly. If you see leaves that should be dark green starting to turn yellow, move your plant to a more shady location or where it is protected from at least the worst hours of sun.

It may also happen that the plant not getting enough light and fail to carry out photosynthesis. This case can be differentiated from the previous one in that here the leaves will adopt a color whiter than yellow. When this happens, move your plants to a brighter area, or if you can’t, consider purchasing a plant light. In case of observing white spots on the leaves of plants, do not hesitate to review the causes and possible solutions.

Yellow leaves on plants: why they appear and solutions - Yellow leaves on plants due to excess or lack of light

Improper pH and yellow leaves

Many plants need soil with a certain level of acidity. When this is not met, the plant will not be able to absorb the iron it needs from the soil and will begin to turn yellow. is it possible to get strips or sets to measure the pH of the soil and thus be able to assess what substances or materials you need to add to increase or reduce it according to the specific needs of the plant.

Yellow Leaves on Plants: Why They Occur and Solutions - Improper pH and Yellow Leaves

Cold weather, causing yellow spots on plant leaves

Some plants can experience cold spells by showing yellow spots on their leaves, even when they are in climates suitable for their species. Usually it happens, especially in plants that are not used to those conditions for having been raised in greenhouses or more sheltered areas. If this happens but the climatic conditions remain within those recommended for the plant, don’t worry, when the warm months arrive it will recover.

Leaf tips yellow and dried by drafts

There are inside plants that should not be in locations exposed to drafts on a regular basis. If this is the case, you will see that the tips of its leaves dry or turn yellow and the plant could lose them. So, if you have noticed yellow leaves on houseplants, simply change your location to a more sheltered one.

Yellow leaves on plants for the arrival of autumn

If the plant is not evergreen, with the arrival of autumn its leaves will turn yellow or brown and finally fall off. Obviously, it is a natural process That does not indicate that anything is wrong.

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