When Money Plant Leaves Turning Yellow – A Gardener’S Guide To

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Hello, fellow gardener! There’s nothing quite like the sinking feeling you get when you spot that first, unwelcome splash of yellow on your beautiful, vining Money Plant. You start to wonder, “What did I do wrong?”

I want you to take a deep breath and relax. A yellow leaf isn’t a sign of failure; it’s your plant’s way of communicating with you. It’s a signal, and I promise that once you learn to read these signals, you’ll be able to solve the mystery and get your plant back to its lush, green glory.

This comprehensive when money plant leaves turning yellow guide is here to turn that worry into confidence. We’ll walk through the most common causes step-by-step, from watering woes to nutrient needs, and provide simple, actionable solutions. You’ll learn not just how to fix the problem, but how to prevent it from happening again.

Why Yellow Leaves Aren’t a Death Sentence (But a Call for Help!)

First things first, let’s understand what’s happening. The process of leaves turning yellow is called chlorosis. It simply means the leaf is losing its chlorophyll, the green pigment responsible for photosynthesis. This is your plant’s way of telling you that something in its environment isn’t quite right.

Think of yourself as a plant detective. Each yellow leaf holds clues. Is it a single, old leaf at the base of the plant? Or are multiple new leaves turning yellow? Is the yellowing uniform, blotchy, or starting at the tips? These details will help us pinpoint the exact cause.

The good news? The Money Plant (Epipremnum aureum), also known as Pothos, is incredibly resilient. It’s a forgiving plant, perfect for beginners, and it bounces back quickly once you address its needs. So, let’s get our detective hats on and investigate the most common problems with when money plant leaves turning yellow.

The #1 Culprit: Decoding Your Watering Woes

In my experience, over 90% of houseplant problems, especially yellowing leaves, start and end with water. It’s the most common mistake gardeners of all levels make. Your Money Plant is much more tolerant of being a little too dry than a little too wet.

Signs of Overwatering

This is the leading cause of yellow leaves. When the soil is constantly soggy, the roots can’t breathe. They begin to rot, unable to absorb water and nutrients, which ironically leads to the plant “starving” and its leaves turning yellow.

  • The Look: Leaves often turn a soft, mushy, bright yellow. You might see yellowing on both new and old leaves simultaneously.
  • The Feel: The soil is consistently damp or wet to the touch, even days after watering.
  • The Smell: In advanced cases, you might notice a musty or rotten smell from the soil, a sure sign of root rot.
  • Other Clues: Stems might feel soft or black near the soil line.

The Fix:

  1. Stop Watering Immediately! Let the soil dry out completely.
  2. Improve Drainage: Ensure your pot has drainage holes. If it doesn’t, you must repot it into one that does. No exceptions!
  3. Check the Roots: If you suspect root rot, gently remove the plant from its pot. Healthy roots are firm and white or light tan. Rotted roots will be brown, black, and mushy. Trim away any rotted parts with clean scissors.
  4. Repot if Necessary: If root rot was severe, repot the plant in fresh, well-draining potting mix.

Signs of Underwatering

While less common, underwatering can also cause yellow leaves. When the plant is too thirsty, it will start sacrificing its older leaves to conserve moisture for new growth.

  • The Look: Leaves, typically the oldest ones first, will turn yellow and then become crispy and brown. The plant may look droopy or wilted overall.
  • The Feel: The soil is bone-dry and may have pulled away from the sides of the pot.
  • The Pot: The pot will feel very lightweight when you pick it up.

The Fix:

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Give your plant a thorough drink! The best method is “bottom watering.” Place the pot in a sink or basin with a few inches of water. Let it soak up water through the drainage holes for about 30-45 minutes, or until the top of the soil is moist. This encourages deep root growth and ensures even hydration. This is one of the most important when money plant leaves turning yellow tips I can offer.

Let There Be Light: Finding the Perfect Sun-Kissed Spot

Money Plants are famous for their adaptability to low light, but they have their preferences. The wrong kind of light can stress the plant and lead to yellow leaves.

Too Much Direct Sunlight

Imagine going from a dim room straight into the bright midday sun—it’s a shock! Direct, harsh sunlight can scorch the delicate leaves of a Money Plant, causing them to turn a pale, washed-out yellow or even develop brown, crispy patches.

The Fix: Move your plant a few feet away from the window. It thrives in bright, indirect light. A spot near an east-facing window is perfect, or a location in a bright room where it doesn’t get hit by direct sunbeams is ideal.

Not Enough Light

While tolerant of low light, a Money Plant can’t survive in a dark corner forever. Without enough light for photosynthesis, the plant can’t produce enough energy to sustain all its leaves. It will start to drop its older leaves, which will turn yellow first, as a survival mechanism.

The Fix: If your plant is in a dim location and looking sparse with yellowing leaves, move it to a brighter spot. You’ll be amazed at how quickly it perks up. If you lack natural light, consider a simple full-spectrum LED grow light.

Feeding Your Friend: The Delicate Balance of Nutrients

Just like us, plants need food to thrive. If your soil is old and depleted, or if you’ve never fertilized your Money Plant, a nutrient deficiency could be the culprit behind those yellow leaves.

Signs of Nutrient Deficiency

A lack of essential nutrients, particularly nitrogen, can cause chlorosis. This usually starts with the older, lower leaves turning a uniform pale yellow before eventually dropping off. The plant’s overall growth may also seem slow or stunted.

The Fix:

Feed your Money Plant with a balanced liquid fertilizer for indoor plants, diluted to half-strength. Here are some eco-friendly when money plant leaves turning yellow best practices:

  • Frequency: Fertilize once every 4-6 weeks during the growing season (spring and summer).
  • Rest Period: Do not fertilize in the fall and winter when the plant’s growth naturally slows down.
  • Sustainable Options: Consider using organic options like compost tea or a worm casting liquid fertilizer for a gentle, sustainable nutrient boost.

A word of caution: More is not better! Over-fertilizing can burn the roots and also cause yellowing leaves, often with brown, crispy tips. Always follow the package directions and when in doubt, dilute more than recommended.

Unwanted Guests: Identifying and Evicting Common Pests

Sometimes, the problem isn’t what you’re doing, but who has moved in! Common houseplant pests like spider mites, mealybugs, and scale feed on the sap of your plant, draining it of life and causing stippled, yellowing leaves.

How to Spot Pests

  • Spider Mites: Look for fine, delicate webbing on the undersides of leaves and where the leaf meets the stem. The leaves may have tiny yellow or white speckles.
  • Mealybugs: These look like tiny bits of white cotton fluff, often clustered in leaf axils (the “armpits” of the plant).
  • Scale: These appear as small, brown, immobile bumps on the stems and undersides of leaves.

The Fix:

  1. Isolate the Plant: Immediately move the infested plant away from your other houseplants to prevent the pests from spreading.
  2. Manual Removal: For mealybugs and scale, you can dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and dab them off. For a light spider mite infestation, a strong spray of water can dislodge them.
  3. Use an Eco-Friendly Treatment: A great sustainable when money plant leaves turning yellow solution is insecticidal soap or neem oil. Mix as directed and thoroughly spray the entire plant, making sure to get the undersides of all leaves. You may need to repeat the treatment weekly for a few weeks to break the pest life cycle.

Environmental Stressors: Temperature, Humidity, and Repotting Shock

Money Plants are pretty tough, but they are still sensitive to sudden changes in their environment. These stressors can cause a plant to protest with a few yellow leaves.

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Temperature Stress & Drafts

These tropical plants prefer stable temperatures between 65-85°F (18-29°C). Sudden drops in temperature, cold drafts from a window or vent, or blasts of hot air can shock the plant, causing leaves to yellow and drop.

The Fix: Keep your plant in a spot with a consistent temperature, away from drafty doors, windows, and heating or cooling vents.

Low Humidity

Money Plants enjoy higher humidity. If the air in your home is very dry (common in winter), you might see leaves with brown, crispy edges and yellowing tips.

The Fix: Group your plants together to create a more humid microclimate. You can also place the pot on a pebble tray with water or use a small room humidifier.

Transplant Shock

Did you just repot your Money Plant? It’s completely normal for it to drop a few yellow leaves as it adjusts to its new home. This is called transplant shock. Don’t panic! Give it time and consistent care, and it will recover.

Frequently Asked Questions About When Money Plant Leaves Turning Yellow

Should I cut off yellow leaves from my money plant?

Yes, you absolutely should. Once a leaf has turned yellow, it will not turn green again. The plant is spending energy trying to support a dying leaf. Pruning it off with clean scissors allows the plant to redirect that energy into producing new, healthy growth. This is one of the simplest when money plant leaves turning yellow tips to implement.

Can yellow money plant leaves turn green again?

Unfortunately, no. The yellowing process (chlorosis) is irreversible. The best course of action is to identify and fix the underlying problem to prevent more leaves from turning yellow, and then prune the already-yellowed leaves.

Is it normal for old money plant leaves to turn yellow?

Yes, to an extent. It’s natural for a plant to occasionally shed its oldest leaves (those closest to the base of the vine) as it grows. If you see one or two lower leaves yellowing and falling off every once in a while, but the rest of the plant is healthy and producing new growth, it’s likely just part of the natural life cycle. The problem arises when many leaves turn yellow at once, or when new growth is affected.

How can I make my money plant grow faster and greener?

The secret is consistency! Provide bright, indirect light, water thoroughly only when the top two inches of soil are dry, feed it during the growing season, and give it something to climb. Money Plants are natural climbers, and their leaves will often grow larger and more lush when they have a moss pole or trellis to attach to.

Your Path to a Greener Money Plant

See? You’re already a pro plant detective! Figuring out how to when money plant leaves turning yellow is a process of observation and elimination. Start with the most likely culprit—watering—and work your way down the list. Be patient with your plant and yourself.

Remember, every yellow leaf is a learning opportunity. It’s your plant’s way of teaching you to be a more attentive and intuitive gardener. By following this care guide, you’re not just fixing a problem; you’re building a stronger, healthier relationship with your green companion.

Now, go take a closer look at your Money Plant with your newfound confidence. You’ve got this! Happy gardening!

Rimon Chowdhury
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