Why are my plant's leaves turning yellow in the fall?

Yellow leaves can happen for several reasons, like changes in light or temperature as the seasons change. Sometimes, plants shed older leaves to focus on new growth, which is completely normal!

Is it normal for some leaves to turn yellow in autumn?

Yes, it's normal for some plants to have yellow leaves in the fall as they prepare for winter. Older leaves may turn yellow and fall off while the plant gets ready for the colder months.

How can I tell if my plant is unhealthy?

If many leaves are turning yellow, especially if they are drooping or have spots, it might mean the plant needs help. Look for signs like mold or wilting, as those can indicate problems with water or pests.

What should I do if my plant's leaves are yellowing?

First, check the soil moisture and light conditions. Adjust watering habits and make sure your plant is getting enough light; this can help improve its health and reduce yellow leaves.

Can overwatering cause yellow leaves on my plants?

Yes, overwatering can lead to yellow leaves because it makes the roots too wet, which can cause root rot. Make sure to let the soil dry out a bit between waterings to keep your plants happy.

Should I remove the yellow leaves from my plant?

It's a good idea to remove yellow leaves as this can help your plant focus on healthy growth. Just be sure to use clean scissors to avoid spreading any diseases.

How often should I water my plants in the fall?

In fall, plants usually need less water than in the spring or summer. Check the soil with your finger; if it's dry an inch down, it's time to water, but make sure not to overdo it!

Can changes in temperature affect my plant's leaves?

Yes, sudden changes in temperature can make leaves turn yellow. Keep your plants in a spot where they won't get chilly drafts or too much heat from a nearby heater.

What are some easy tips to keep my plants healthy in autumn?

To keep your plants healthy in autumn, make sure they get plenty of indirect light, adjust their watering schedule, and keep them away from cold drafts. Also, consider using a fertilizer to help them stay strong.

Is there special care for indoor plants during fall?

Yes, indoor plants often need slightly different care in the fall, like less frequent watering and protection from cool air. Keep an eye on their light needs since days get shorter, and adjust their placement if needed!

What to do when your plant's leaves turn yellow in Autumn/Fall

Worried about yellow leaves on your houseplants this fall? Learn what's normal, how to spot problems, and get easy tips to keep your plants healthy and happy through autumn. Perfect for beginners!

It's that time of year again. The days get shorter, the air turns colder, and suddenly, you notice your favorite houseplant's leaves turning yellow. Don't worry! This is one of the most common plant questions I get every fall.

Let's break down what's normal, what's not, and how to keep your plants happy and healthy as the seasons change.

Why are my plant's leaves turning yellow in fall?

Fall can be quite scary, because even with your best efforts, your plants will stop growing. This is one of the most difficult parts of fall and winter as a plant owner. But that doesn't mean you're not caring for your plant correctly, it's just going dormant for the darker and colder days.

Why are my plant's leaves turning yellow in fall?

Your first gut-feeling when you see yellow leaves on your plant will be to want to give it more care. Before you do anything, let's go through a simple checklist. Yellow leaves don’t always mean disaster. Autumn is a time of transition for both outdoor and indoor plants.

Here's what might be happening:

Seasonal leaf drop (your plant is completely fine)

Many plants naturally drop some of their older leaves in the fall as they prepare for slower growth. This helps the plant to preserve energy for the winter months. If you see a few yellow leaves at the bottom of your plant, but the rest of the plant looks healthy, it's probably just a normal seasonal change.

Overwatering

In the fall, there is much less sunlight as there was in the spring and summer. Because of this, your plant will respond by slowing going dormant: It's "sleeping". When it's in this state, it uses a lot less energy, and less water. This is also why it doesn't really grow.

Most beginning plant owners, myself included, don't pick up on this right away and will keep watering their plants as they have been in the spring and summer. But your plant doesn't need that much water anymore, so what happens? You'll accidentally overwater your plants.

This overwatering causes root rot, and your plant's leaves will turn yellow and a little mushy.

So what can you do? Always check the soil before you water your plant. Is it still moist? Wait a few more days and check again. It's very important to let the soil mostly dry out in the fall and winter to avoid overwatering your plant.

Lighting changes

In the fall, when it's darker outside, your plants might struggle with photosynthesis. This can lead to weaker and yellowing leaves. There is an easy fix: Move your plants closer to the window, where it can get more light. You can also use a grow light.

Temperature changes

And last but not least, temperature changes can play a big role in causing yellow leaves in the fall/autumn. If you have any drafts from open or poorly-insulated windows, your plant can get stressed from the temperature changes. This leads to yellowing leaves or the dropping of the leaves, because the plant is going into survival mode and wants to preserve energy.

So if you have any of these drafts, make sure to keep your plants away from them.

How do you know if it's a problem or just seasonal change?

If there are a few yellow leaves at the bottom of the plant, especially some of the older leaves, with new growth still green and healthy, there is nothing to worry about. This is normal seasonal behavior on your plant.

However, if you see quick yellowing leaves all over your plant, mushy stems, or a bad smell from the soil, it usually means overwatering or root rot.

In case you're dealing with root rot, remind yourself of this checklist:

Is the yellowing only on old leaves? (Normal)
Are you watering less than in summer? (If not, you should water your plant less)
Is your plant getting enough light? (Move it closer to a window)
Is the pot draining well, or is water pooling at the bottom? (Standing water is bad)

By answering these questions, you'll find out quick quickly what the problem with your plant could be. Once you know the problem, you'll want to take some steps to help your plant recover.

Luckily, you can still take a few steps to get your plant back to health.

Simple steps to help your plant recover from yellowing leaves

Remove yellow leaves with clean scissors: this helps to prevent pests.
Let the soil dry out before watering again.
Move it to a brighter spot if possible, direct sunlight is usually fine in the fall and winter.
Check for cold drafts and keep your plant away from them.

In case you're looking for some more information, you can always take a look at "How do you recognize root rot on your houseplant?" or "How to rescue a plant from overwatering".

Yellow leaf myth: You should water your plant more in the fall

Incorrect! This is one of the biggest plant care myths. Most plants need less water in fall and winter, not more. Daily watering is almost never necessary (and can do more harm than good). Always check the soil first, and remember: it’s better to underwater than overwater during the cooler months.

Thank you for reading this post! I hope it helps you to keep your plants healthy and beautiful! If you're looking for more guides on specific plants, you can always request a plant guide to get a guide for the plant you have trouble with.

Tags: crisis Seasons