9 Reasons Your Pothos Leaves Are Turning Yellow

Pothos (Epipremnum varieties) has a reputation for being one of the easiest houseplants to care for. While it can tolerate a wide range of growing conditions, one common problem people sometimes encounter when caring for pothos is yellowing leaves. Changing color can be a natural phase of the plant's growth, but if your pothos turns from a vibrant green to a drooping yellow, it may need some extra attention. Beyond maturation, there are a few reasons your pothos plant's leaves may be turning yellow, including overwatering, disease, and an insect infestation.

Causes of Yellow Pothos Leaves

If your pothos leave are turning yellow, it's likely because of one of the following factors.

Overwatering

One of the biggest reasons your pothos may be turning yellow is due to overwatering. Unlike most plants that need water on a regular basis, the pothos plant likes having its soil dry out completely before it becomes thirsty again. "If pothos roots don’t get enough oxygen because of waterlogged soil, they’ll die off," says Justin Hancock, horticulturist for Costa Farms. "Since roots are responsible for pulling moisture out of the soil and leaves release moisture into the air through transpiration, the plant will commonly shed some leaves to keep a balance between the amount of moisture it’s absorbing and releasing." To see if overwatering is the issue, take a watering break and assess the situation.

Water Quality

If your pothos is still looking more lemon than lime, it may be the quality of the water you're using to quench its thirst. The chemicals and bacteria that live in water can be detrimental to a plant's growth. "Run water through a filter and let it sit in an open container for 48 hours," says Marina Olshasky, owner of Vesca Botanicals. This will rid the water of anything that may be harmful to the plant.

Old Age

Each individual leaf on the plant has its own lifespan. "When the leaf reaches the end of its natural life, it goes yellow and drops off," says Hancock. "If you see the occasional yellow leaf and it’s one of the oldest leaves, it’s likely  nothing to be concerned about and just a part of the plant’s natural development."

Too Much Sun

Too much sun can cause your pothos plant's leaves to yellow. This often appears as bleached or yellowish patches on the leaves. "If there’s a lot of damage, you can remove affected leaves; otherwise, wait for the pothos to push out enough new growth to help cover up the old, damaged growth," says Hancock. If your pothos leaves look bleached, try putting up a sheer curtain or move the plant back to help diffuse the light.

Too Little Sun

On the other hand, too little sun can also cause discoloration on a pothos plant. "In especially low-light conditions, there’s not enough light to give the plant the energy it needs to support the leaves, and they’ll yellow and drop," says Hancock. "If your plant isn’t getting enough light, move it closer to a window or to a brighter window—or augment with an LED lamp to boost light levels."

Temperature

Exposure to air that’s significantly warmer or colder than the ambient air temperature can cause leaves to go yellow prematurely, says Hancock. "This includes drafts from windows or doors, as well as heating and cooling vents," he says. Make sure your pothos is not near any vents or any area of your home with a draft.

Pests

It's possible your pothos plant has an insect infestation that is causing the leaves to yellow. "Some sap-sucking insects, including scale, mealybug, and spider mites, feed by draining cells of their fluids with needle-like mouthparts," says Hancock. "If the infestation is severe enough, affected leaves may go yellow as their cells are drained."

Inspect the tops and undersides of your pothos' leaves for pests. If you don't see any insects, check for signs of an infestation. "Mealybugs and scale insects, for example, pull out more sugars from the leaves than they can digest, so their droppings can accumulate as a clear, sticky layer called honeydew." Once you've identified the type of pest, you can treat it accordingly. "There are different strategies for attacking different pests—there’s not a good, one-size-fits-all solution, though an insecticide containing neem oil or insecticidal soap can often be a good place to start," says Hancock.

Nutrient Deficiency

While a nutrient deficiency is relatively uncommon, it's possible in older plants that haven't been repotted in years. "Without the nutrients necessary to sustain healthy growth, the plant may yellow and drop leaves in its weakened state (much like you see with too little light)," says Hancock. "Nitrogen is the most commonly thought of nutrient deficiency that can cause leaves to go pale or yellowish, but other nutrients such as iron can, too."

Toxicity

Just as too few nutrients can cause discolored leaves, so can too many. "On pothos, one of the more common toxicities is manganese," says Hancock. "Too much of this element can cause leaves to develop yellow spotting followed by yellowing and falling of the leaves." In this instance, avoid giving your pothos any fertilizer that contains manganese.

How to Prevent Yellow Pothos Leaves

The best way to prevent yellowing leaves is to ensure your pothos has an optimal environment for growth. While it can withstand a variety of growing conditions, pothos prefers indirect light, well-draining soil, and watering every one to two weeks. Giving your plant an ideal habitat helps reduce the stress you put on it. "Because stress does have a compounding effect on the plant, it is important to address the stressor—otherwise, your plant could go into a downward spiral, looking worse and worse over time until it finally succumbs and dies."