Oh no, not the yellow peril! If you’re a proud succulent parent, you’ve likely encountered the dreaded sight of your green babies turning a sickly shade of yellow.
You are not alone in this struggle of succulent leaves turning yellow.
In fact, yellowing leaves on succulents are a common issue that can leave even the most experienced green thumbs scratching their heads.
But why should you care? A healthy succulent is a happy succulent, and we all want our little plant friends to thrive!
I will uncover the possible culprits behind this phenomenon and, most importantly, provide you with valuable insights and practical solutions to prevent and treat your yellowing succulent leaves.
So, buckle up and prepare for an informative, engaging, and approachable journey to restore your succulents to their vibrant, green glory!
Why Are My Succulent leaves turning yellow?
Succulent leaves can turn yellow for various reasons, ranging from environmental factors to improper care. Let’s explore some of the most common causes and their corresponding solutions.
Overwatering
Reason: Overwatering is among the most common reasons for yellowing succulent leaves. Succulents are drought-tolerant plants that store water in their leaves, and too much water can cause the cells to become engorged and burst, leading to yellow, mushy leaves.
Solution: Cut back on watering and ensure that your succulents are planted in well-draining soil and a container with drainage holes. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings, and when you do water, make sure to water deeply so that the roots receive the necessary hydration.
Underwatering
Reason: While succulents can tolerate drought, they still need water. Underwatering can cause the leaves to turn yellow and wrinkled or fade as the plant pulls water from its leaves to sustain itself.
Solution: Increase your watering frequency, ensuring the soil is moistened thoroughly each time. Keep an eye on your succulent’s leaves and adjust your watering schedule based on their appearance and your plant’s specific needs.
Nutrient Deficiency
Reason: A lack of essential nutrients, such as nitrogen, can cause your succulent’s leaves to turn yellow. This is because nitrogen is vital for producing chlorophyll, which gives the leaves their green color.
Solution: Fertilize your succulent with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer, following the instructions for proper dilution and application rates. Be cautious not to over-fertilize, as this can cause more harm than good.
Sunburn
Reason: Succulents love sunlight, but too much direct sun can cause the leaves to become yellow and scorched. This is especially true for succulents that are not acclimated to intense sunlight.
Solution: Gradually acclimate your succulent to direct sunlight by increasing its exposure over a few weeks. If your succulent is sunburned, move it to a shadier location and allow it to recover. Monitor the sunlight exposure and adjust accordingly to prevent future sunburn.
Pests
Reason: Pests such as mealybugs, aphids, and spider mites can cause your succulent’s leaves to turn yellow by feeding on the plant’s sap and causing damage to the leaves.
Solution: Inspect your succulent regularly for signs of pests and treat any infestations promptly. You can use insecticidal soap or neem oil to treat and prevent pest infestations. Be sure to follow the product instructions for proper application and safety precautions.
Root Rot
Reason: Root rot occurs when the roots of your succulent sit in wet soil for extended periods, leading to fungal infections and decay. This can cause the leaves to turn yellow as the plant struggles to remove water and nutrients from its damaged root system.
Solution: To prevent root rot, ensure your succulents are planted in well-draining soil and a container with drainage holes. If you suspect root rot, carefully remove the plant from its pot and inspect the roots.
Trim away any black, mushy roots and treat the remaining healthy roots with a fungicide. Repot the succulent in fresh, well-draining soil and avoid overwatering.
Poor Draining Soils
Reason: Soil that doesn’t drain well can cause water to accumulate around the roots, leading to rot and yellowing leaves. Succulents require a fast-draining soil mix to prevent excess moisture buildup.
Solution: Use a well-draining soil mix specifically designed for succulents or create your own by mixing equal parts potting soil, perlite, and coarse sand. This will ensure that excess water drains away from the roots quickly, preventing root rot and yellowing leaves.
Incorrect Containers
Reason: Containers that don’t have proper drainage or are too large for the succulent can contribute to yellowing leaves. Poor drainage can lead to root rot, while an oversized container may cause the soil to remain wet for too long.
Solution: Choose a container with drainage holes and pick a size appropriate for your succulent. Ideally, the container should be slightly larger than the root ball, allowing the plant to establish itself without overwatering.
Frost
Reason: Most succulents are not frost-tolerant and can be damaged when exposed to freezing temperatures. Frost can cause the water stored in the leaves to freeze and expand, leading to cell damage and yellowing leaves.
Solution: Protect your succulents from frost by bringing them indoors during the winter months or covering them with frost cloth if planted in the ground. If your succulent has been damaged by frost, trim away the affected leaves and move the plant to a warmer location to encourage recovery.
How To Prevent Succulent Plant Leaves From Turning Yellow?
To prevent succulent plant leaves from turning yellow, follow these tips:
- Avoid overwatering: Overwatering is a common cause of yellowing leaves in succulents. Water your succulents only when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil feel dry. This will prevent root rot and promote healthy growth.
- Provide proper sunlight: While succulents love sunlight, too much direct sun can cause leaves to turn yellow. Gradually acclimate your succulents to direct sunlight and monitor their exposure to prevent sunburn.
- Use well-draining soil: Succulents require well-draining soil to prevent excess moisture buildup. Use a soil mix specifically for succulents, or create your own mix with equal parts potting soil, perlite, and coarse sand.
- Choose the right container: Select a container with drainage holes and an appropriate size for your succulent. This will ensure proper drainage and prevent root rot.
- Fertilize appropriately: Provide succulents with essential nutrients using a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer. Follow the package instructions for proper dilution and application rates.
- Protect from frost: Most succulents are not frost-tolerant, so protect them from freezing temperatures by bringing them indoors or covering them with frost cloth.
Outdoor succulent leaves turning yellow
Outdoor succulent leaves turning yellow can be attributed to factors such as overwatering, underwatering, too much sunlight, pests, and inappropriate soil or pot. To address this issue, it is essential to identify the specific cause and take appropriate measures to fix it.
Overwatering can cause the roots to rot, leading to yellowing leaves. Ensure the soil dries out between waterings and use a well-draining soil mix. On the other hand, underwatering can cause leaves to turn yellow and fade as the plant tries to conserve water.
Adjust your watering schedule to provide the right moisture for your succulent outdoor.
Too much direct sunlight can cause sunburn and yellowing leaves. Gradually acclimate your outdoor succulent to direct sunlight and monitor its exposure to prevent damage.
Pests such as mealybugs, aphids, and spider mites can also cause yellowing leaves by feeding on the plant’s sap. Inspect your succulent regularly for signs of pests and treat any infestations promptly using insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Lastly, inappropriate soil or pot can contribute to yellowing leaves. Use a well-draining soil mix specifically designed for succulents and choose a container with drainage holes to prevent root rot and excess moisture buildup.
Indoor succulent leaves turning yellow
Indoor succulent leaves turning yellow can be caused by several factors, including overwatering, underwatering, lack of nutrients, insufficient light, insect infestation, and using the wrong soil or pot. Natural shedding of the leaves can also lead to yellowing.
Overwatering is a common reason for yellowing leaves in succulents. Ensure the soil dries out between waterings and use a well-draining soil mix. On the other hand, underwatering can cause leaves to turn yellow and fade as the plant tries to conserve water. Adjust your watering schedule to provide the right moisture for your succulent indoors.
Lack of nutrients can also cause yellowing leaves in succulents. Fertilize your indoor succulent with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer, following the instructions for proper dilution and application rates.
Insufficient light can lead to yellowing leaves in indoor succulents. Ensure that your succulent receives adequate sunlight by placing it near a bright window or using artificial grow lights.
Insect infestations, such as mealybugs, aphids, and spider mites, can also cause yellowing leaves by feeding on the plant’s sap. Inspect your succulent regularly for signs of pests and treat any infestations promptly using insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Lastly, using the wrong soil or pot can contribute to yellowing leaves. Use a well-draining soil mix specifically designed for succulents and choose a container with drainage holes to prevent root rot and excess moisture buildup.
Succulent leaves turning yellow at bottom
Succulent leaves turning yellow at the bottom can be caused by several factors, including overwatering, underwatering, and natural shedding of older leaves.
Overwatering is a common cause of yellowing leaves in succulents. If you notice that the leaves at the bottom are falling off with a gentle touch and black spots, appear on the leaves and stems, it could indicate overwatering and root rot. Ensure the soil dries out between waterings and use a well-draining soil mix.
Underwatering can also cause the lower leaves of succulents to turn yellow or brown, with dead plant material at the bottom of the pot. Adjust your watering schedule to provide the right moisture for your succulent.
Natural shedding of older leaves can also lead to yellowing leaves at the bottom of the plant. As succulents grow, they may shed their older leaves to make room for new growth. This is a normal process, not a cause for concern.
Should I remove yellow leaves from succulents?
Yes, you should remove yellow leaves from succulents if they are dead or severely damaged. Gently pull the dead, crispy leaves away from the plant; they should detach easily. If not, use a sharp, clean knife or secateurs to snip the dead leaves off.
However, if the yellow leaves are caused by overwatering, you should stop watering the succulents immediately and wait for the soil to dry out before watering again. If the problem persists, you may need to change the soil by removing the plant from its pot and gently shaking the soil from the roots.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do you fix yellow leaves on succulents?
To fix yellow leaves on succulents, identify the cause, such as overwatering, underwatering, insufficient light, pests, or improper soil. Adjust your watering schedule, ensure proper drainage, and use a well-draining soil mix. Provide adequate light and treat pest infestations with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Remove dead or severely damaged leaves to encourage new growth.
Can succulent yellow leaves recover?
Yellow succulent leaves can recover if the underlying issue is addressed promptly. However, severely damaged or dead leaves will not revert to their original color. Focus on providing proper care to encourage healthy new growth.
How do you tell if a succulent is underwatered or overwatered?
Underwatered succulents have wrinkled, dry, and crispy leaves, while overwatered succulents have soft, mushy, and yellowing leaves. Root rot, black spots on leaves, and a foul smell are also signs of overwatering. Check the soil moisture to determine if it’s too dry or too wet.
How often should succulents be watered?
Succulents should be watered when the soil is completely dry, typically every 7-14 days, depending on the environment and pot size. Factors such as humidity, temperature, and light affect the watering frequency. Always ensure proper drainage and avoid letting succulents sit in standing water.
Conclusion:
Succulent leaves turning yellow is a common issue attributed to various factors such as overwatering, underwatering, insufficient light, pests, and improper soil or pot conditions.
However, with proper care and attention, it is possible to identify and address the underlying causes, ensuring the health and well-being of your succulents.
By monitoring your plants closely, adjusting their care routines, and providing the appropriate environment, you can prevent yellowing leaves and promote vibrantly, thriving succulents that will continue to grace your indoor or outdoor spaces with their unique beauty and resilience.
