What To Do About Yellow Leaves on Your String of Turtles Plant

The string of turtles plant, also known by its scientific name Peperomia prostrata, is a trailing succulent loved for its rounded, textured leaves resembling tiny turtle shells. However, despite their reputation as an easy-going houseplant, string of turtles can develop issues like yellowing leaves.

If your string of turtles has leaves that are turning yellow, don’t panic! With some attentive care, you can get your plant back to its healthy, vibrant self Here are the most common reasons behind yellow leaves on string of turtles and what to do to fix them

Overwatering

Excessive watering is one of the most common causes of yellow leaves on string of turtles As succulents, these plants prefer their soil to dry out between waterings If kept consistently moist, the roots are prone to rotting which leads to yellow, dropping leaves.

Signs your string of turtles is overwatered:

• Leaves turn yellow or translucent
• Lower leaves drop off
• Mushy, brown stems
• Foul odor from the soil

Solutions for Overwatering:

• Cease watering and allow soil to fully dry out before resuming
• Remove plant from pot and inspect roots – trim any that are black or mushy
• Repot in fresh, well-draining soil
• Water less frequently going forward

Only water when the top few inches of soil become dry. Improve drainage by amending soil with perlite or switching to a terra cotta pot.

Underwatering

While overwatering is more common, leaving string of turtles too dry can also cause yellowing If the soil dries out completely for too long, it can stress the plant and cause lower leaves to turn yellow and drop.

Signs your string of turtles is underwatered:

• Dry, cracked soil
• Wrinkled, drooping leaves
• Leaves yellow from the bottom up
• Little to no new growth

Solutions for Underwatering:

• Water the plant deeply right away
• Check soil frequently and water when just the top few inches become dry
• Mist leaves between waterings to boost humidity
• Move plant to a shadier spot to reduce water needs

Aim to keep soil evenly moist but not sopping wet. Increase watering frequency in hot, dry weather.

Inadequate Light

String of turtles needs bright, indirect light to thrive. Low light will cause the leaves to turn pale greenish-yellow. Without enough light, the plant won’t photosynthesize properly and leaves will yellow from lack of nutrients.

Signs your string of turtles needs more light:

• Yellowing leaves, especially on inner parts of vines
• Sparse, small leaves
• Leggy growth with increased spacing between leaves
• Slow growth

Solutions for Low Light:

• Place plant in bright, indirect light like an east or west window
• Supplement with a grow light if indoor light is insufficient
• Rotate plant occasionally to expose all sides to light
• Prune leggy stems to encourage bushier new growth

Give your string of turtles at least 4 hours of bright, filtered sunlight daily for the healthiest growth.

Lack of Nutrients

An important reason for yellow leaves on string of turtles is insufficient nutrients in the soil. These plants need fertilizer to thrive since most potting mixes lack essential nutrients.

Signs your string of turtles needs fertilizer:

• New growth is smaller and paler
• Older leaves turn yellow while new leaves stay green
• Plant looks healthy but has poor color

Solutions for Lack of Nutrients:

• Fertilize every 2-4 weeks during spring and summer with a balanced houseplant fertilizer
• Switch to a potting mix amended with slow-release fertilizer
• Repot in fresh soil annually to replenish nutrients

When fertilizing, always dilute to half strength and don’t overdo it. Stick to a regular schedule for best results.

Environmental Stress

Stress from things like temperature extremes, droughts, or drafts can also cause yellowing leaves on string of turtles. Stress drains resources from the plant which leads to nutrient deficiencies.

Signs of environmental stress:

• Yellow lower leaves while upper leaves stay green
• Leaf loss or yellowing after changes in environment
• Failure to recover after remedying usual causes

Solutions for Environmental Stress:

• Provide stable temperatures between 65-80°F
• Shield plant from hot/cold drafts
• Keep plant out of direct sun in summer
• Ensure proper humidity levels between 40-60%
• Don’t let plant dry out completely

Minimize stress by providing the ideal growing conditions consistently. Give extra care while the plant recovers from stress.

When to Be Concerned

A few yellow leaves here and there is normal and not a major cause for alarm. But significant yellowing of new growth or extensive leaf loss indicates a more serious issue.

Seek advice from a local greenhouse if yellowing persists after you’ve addressed all the usual problems. Rapid leaf loss may signal an incurable problem like a disease, virus or pest infestation.

Catching and correcting yellow leaves early gives your string of turtles the best chance of recovery. With attentive care and patience, your plant can regain its former vibrancy!