Find out why the leaves on your succulents might be turning yellow and what changes you can make to their care to fix the issue.
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Q. I have succulents inside, but their leaves are turning more yellow than green. Is this a big problem that I need to take care of? What could be making my succulents turn yellow?
A: Succulents have long been hugely-popular houseplants, mainly thanks to how easy they are to grow. It is not all plain-sailing though, as succulents can suffer from problems that can show through yellowing leaves.
A lot of people who know how to take care of succulents know how important it is to water them the right way. Drainage and watering are two areas where issues could leave you wondering, why is my succulent turning yellow?.
Succulents like a sunny spot to grow in, though can tolerate some shade( credit: Getty/Evgeniia Siiankovskaia)
Succulents are incredibly popular houseplants that are loved for their unique shapes textures, and colors. Their ability to thrive in arid conditions makes them quite easy to care for. However even the most novice succulent owner will eventually encounter the problem of yellowing leaves.
Seeing those sunny yellow leaves can cause panic – are they a sign of an underlying problem? Should you pluck them off immediately or leave them be? Understanding the causes of yellowing leaves and how to address them properly is crucial for keeping your succulents healthy and happy
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the top reasons for yellow leaves on succulents and when you should (and shouldn’t) remove them.
What Causes Yellow Leaves on Succulents?
Succulents communicate through their leaves. While yellowing is normal as lower leaves age, dramatic yellowing or mushiness signals that something is amiss with their care. Here are some of the most common culprits behind yellow succulent leaves:
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Overwatering – Too much moisture leads to rotting roots and yellow, translucent leaves. This is the #1 cause of yellow leaves.
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Underwatering – Neglected, thirsty succulents will have shriveled, yellow lower leaves.
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Insufficient Sunlight – Inadequate light causes elongated, yellow growth.
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Excess Sun – Sunburn appears as scorched white-yellow spots.
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Poor Drainage – Wet soil from heavy pots leads to yellowing.
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Pests – Mealybugs, aphids, and mites cause yellowing and dropping leaves.
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Nutrient Deficiency – Lack of nutrients like nitrogen leads to general yellowing.
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Incorrect Pot – A pot that’s too large or retains moisture can cause yellowing leaves.
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Frost Damage – Cold exposure turns leaves yellow and mushy.
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Natural Causes – Lower leaves yellow and drop off naturally as the plant grows. This is not a cause for concern.
When Should You Remove Yellow Leaves From Succulents?
When yellowing leaves feel mushy, translucent or like they might fall off, it’s best to gently pluck them off to prevent the spread of infection to healthy leaves.
You should also remove leaves that are:
- Severely damaged by pests or sunburn
- Affected by fungus or rotting
- Extremely elongated and depleted from etiolation
Removing damaged and dying leaves encourages new healthy growth. It also allows you to inspect the stem for rot more easily.
However, if the yellow leaves are just slightly discolored and feel firm, leave them be! The plant is likely just reabsorbing nutrients and chlorophyll from them.
How to Rescue a Succulent With Yellowing Leaves
If your succulent has widespread yellowing across multiple leaves, it needs some TLC:
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Check for pests and treat with horticultural oils or insecticidal soap if found.
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Repot in fresh, well-draining soil to prevent compaction and overwatering issues.
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Move to a location with appropriate sunlight – not too much or too little.
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Hold off watering until soil is completely dry, then resume a strict schedule.
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Fertilize occasionally with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer to prevent nutrient deficiencies.
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Remove dead leaves and stems, leaving healthy tissue to regrow.
With attentive care and perfect conditions, even a severely distressed succulent can bounce back!
When Should You Not Remove Yellow Leaves?
Avoid plucking yellow leaves that are:
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Slightly yellow at the tips or edges – this is natural aging.
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Still somewhat firm and flexible – leave them be until they naturally shrivel.
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On a succulent that is clearly underwatered – it needs moisture, not leaf removal.
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Part of natural growth and reabsorption processes.
If the overall plant looks healthy, resist the urge to over-prune yellowing bottom leaves. Let the plant shed them on its own time.
Caring for Succulents to Prevent Yellowing
Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to succulents. Here are some general care tips to keep your plants vibrant and yellow-leaf free:
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Water only when soil is completely dry to avoid rot.
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Choose containers with drainage holes to prevent moisture buildup.
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Use porous, gritty soil mixes made for succulents.
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Fertilize during the growing season to maintain nutrition.
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Give them bright, direct light for at least 4-6 hours per day.
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Repot in fresh soil every 2-3 years as needed.
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Inspect regularly for pest infestations.
With proper care tailored to their needs, succulents will reward you with lush green growth for years to come!
Yellowing leaves are the succulent’s way of communicating that something needs adjustment. While occasionally plucking damaged foliage, focus on fixing underlying issues like overwatering or pests. With attentive care and troubleshooting, you can get a yellowing succulent back to perfect health.
Remember, patience is vital – allow time for your changes to gradually improve the plant. Understand the causes of yellowing and don’t panic at the first sign. With a little TLC, that sunshine-colored succulent will be green again soon!
How do you fix yellow leaves on succulents?
If a plant has yellow leaves, it might look like it needs help, but it probably just needs some TLC. There are easy things you can do to help dying succulents grow again. That is why it is important to monitor plants carefully and not dismiss the sight of yellow leaves. The yellow leaves are a reminder that you might need to make some changes to how you care for your indoor plants.
Ash Read, a former professional gardener and founder of Indoor Plants, says that succulents ‘often need a change in their care routine’ to recover from issues such as yellow leaves.
‘The first thing to do is adjust the watering. He says, “Make sure the soil fits the plant well and don’t let water sit in the saucer.”
“If the plant isn’t getting enough water, try watering it more often, but keep in mind that succulents like a good soak less often than little sips more often.” ’.
Watering correctly is very important all year, but when taking care of succulents in the winter, you should really avoid doing it often. During the winter, plants may be more likely to die from too much water, so be careful and only water when they really need it. This may be only once a month during winter.
If the soil doesn’t drain well enough for succulents, you might need to repot them. Any soil for succulents should have a good mix of potting soil, grit, sand, or perlite. The pot should also have holes in the bottom so that water can drain away. Repotting can be one way to fix an overwatered plant that has been sitting in very wet soil.
If the plant isn’t having trouble with watering or drainage, you can fix nutrient deficiencies by giving it a balanced fertilizer made just for succulents. This succulents fertilizer is an example of a fertilizer that is meant to be used on plants. Giving the plant a light feed in the spring and summer can help make sure it has all the nutrients it needs for the growing season. If you identify pesky insects causing problems for the plants, there are homemade bug sprays you can use.
Ash Read is the founder of Indoor Plants. He had a career in professional gardening before turning to writing. Indoor Plants aims to make gardening accessible and enjoyable for all.
Why are my succulent leaves turning yellow?
There are several potential reasons why a succulent may start turning yellow. It can happen to all the best types of succulents, but the common culprit is normally watering-related.
When judging when to water succulents, it is important to remember how they are adapted. Their fleshy leaves store water, and if you give them more water than they can hold, it will sit in the soil and cause problems. Over time, this can make the roots rot, and yellow leaves are a common sign of soil that is too wet for plants inside and outside.
Alex Tinsman, founder and chief editor at How To Houseplant, warns that watering and drainage are the usual suspects responsible for succulent leaves turning yellow. Any potting medium for a succulent needs to be well-draining to help excess water escape from the pot and reduce the likelihood of root problems and yellowing leaves.
‘Succulents, as you might know, are desert natives. Theyre built for survival in conditions that other plants would find inhospitable. So, he says, sitting in wet soil can kill their roots and make their leaves turn yellow as a stress response.
‘On the flip side, not watering enough can also be problematic. While succulents can tolerate periods of drought, they still need a drink from time to time. A thirsty succulent might start yellowing as a plea for hydration. ’.
You may be wondering, “Why is my succulent dying?” because the leaves are turning yellow. Lack of sunlight can also make the plants look leggy and yellow, and soil that doesn’t have enough nutrients can make the plants lose their usual green and lush color.
Finally, pests can cause leaves to turn yellow because the plant is stressed and shows this through discolored leaves. As the plant saves energy and fights off the attack, the leaves will change color from green to yellow.
Alex Tinsman was born in Wisconsin and grew up in Iowa. He started HowToHouseplant and is its editor. com. He loves indoor gardening, and the site’s goal is to give you expert advice on how to pick, grow, and take care of houseplants.
Succulents need more water in spring and summer than in fall or winter( credit: Wirestock, Inc/Alamy Stock Photo)
Main reasons succulents get yellow leaves
FAQ
How do you fix yellow leaves on succulents?
Should you remove damaged succulent leaves?
Should I cut off yellowing leaves?
What does an overwatered succulent look like?
Can a succulent leaf turn yellow?
However, you can prevent a succulent leaf from turning yellow by correctly taking care of your succulents. You should only consider succulent leaf removal when succulents are already wilting and have lost all their green colors. If succulents are still bright and shiny, you should leave them alone.
Should you remove dead leaves from a succulent?
Dead leaves and yellow leaves are best removed from a succulent. Not only will it lift the overall aesthetic of the plant but it also reduces any risk of attracting more pests or diseases occurring due to dying foliage, especially if those leaves are touching, or sitting on, wet soil.
What happens if a succulent is left untreated?
This interrupts photosynthesis, or energy production, in the plant’s leaves and other above-ground parts, and its green color fades to yellow. If left untreated, overly wet conditions can cause leaves to fall or the upper parts of a succulent to soften and rot, eventually killing the plant.
What happens if you overwater succulents?
Succulents can survive long periods without water. If you overwater your succulent plant, the roots cannot get any oxygen and will begin to rot. If the leaves of succulents turn yellow, this is often a sign of overwatering. You need to stop watering succulents when leaves turn yellow immediately.
Do succulents lose leaves naturally?
Succulents tend to lose older leaves naturally at the base of the plant. Turn over a squat rosette type succulent and you’re sure to see one or two shrivelled up yellow leaves. How To Fix? Simply pull the dead, crispy leaves away from the plant. They should detach easily.