Why succulents turn yellow

It is a natural characteristic of virtually all plants. Wilting of leaves is part of their growing process. Only worry if the top or upper leaves turn yellow. Something bad is happening in your succulent plant in this case. Watering issues can be easily fixed using a fast-draining soil. This helps the succulent plant safe from any overwatering issues.

Actually succulents love it. But just make sure that the excess water is drained away. In fact, what I normally recommend is the soak and dry watering method. This means that every time you water your succulent, make sure that the soil is soaked. Then let the water drain and evaporate. Water again once the soil gets dried. But how do you do that? Well, the best way to do it is by examining the soil. Check the moisture or the stored water in the soil or pot.

You do that by inserting your finger in the soil. If you feel too much moisture or the soil is wet, then overwatering is the cause of the yellowing of the leaves. Another indication is when the soil sticks to your finger, it suggests that the soil is really wet. If this condition is not treated or adjusted, it will cause rotting the succulent plant. Rotting usually starts in the roots up to the stems and leaves. Once you are certain about the cause of the problem, take immediate action to recover the plant.

Late actions often result in the death of the plant. The most common reason is watering issues. Too much water can cause the leaves to swell, become soft and mushy, and eventually fall off. Leaves that fall off from overwatering appear wet and mushy, and the stem may appear puffy.

Remedy: Withhold watering until the top inch of the soil feels dry. Make sure the potting mix is well draining and that the plant is not sitting in water for loo long. If the wrong potting mix is used, re-pot the plant and switch out the soil with a well draining one. When repotting, let the plant dry out for a few days to recover and heal before transplanting and watering again. Let excess water drain out of the holes of the pot when watering.

If the pot does not have drainage holes, consider drilling one or alter watering techniques to prevent overwatering. Leaves can also fall off during extreme heat. During periods of intense heat or drought, succulents respond by dropping their leaves to help conserve energy and maintain their water supply. While this is a normal response in nature, there are steps you can take to minimize stress in your plant. Remedy: Move the plant in a shadier location away from the intense, full sun during a heatwave or drought.

The plant may also need to be watered more often during these conditions. Increase watering as needed or when the top inch of the soil feels dry to touch. Leaves can turn yellow from watering issues.

Overwatering and underwatering can both cause the leaves to turn yellow. Pay attention to other things that are going on with your plant. If the plant is well watered and the leaves are turning yellow, feel mushy and swollen, the plant is being overwatered. If they leaves are turning yellow, shriveling and wilting, and you know you have not watered your plant for a while, then the plant is most likely underwatered. Remedy: Adjust watering techniques.

If you suspect the plant is being overwatered, water less frequently and wait for the soil to dry out in between waterings. If the plant is being under watered, water the plant more thoroughly.

Most succulents like a good watering until excess water drips out of the holes of the pot. Wait until the soil dries before watering again. Leaves can turn yellow from lack of nutrients. Most commercial succulent potting soil come with added compost or fertilizer in the mix.

The plants can feed on those nutrients for quite some time. Eventually these nutrients are flushed out of the soil from constant watering and nutrients need to be added back in. Nutrients can be added in by re-potting the plant in fresh potting mix or by fertilizing the plant. Remedy: Re-pot the plant using a suitable well draining potting mix or apply fertilizer. Use a well balanced fertilizer designed for houseplants or a fertilizer blend specifically formulated for cacti and succulents.

Cacti and succulents are not heavy feeders and do not require a lot of fertilizers. Dilute the amount of fertilizer recommended on the package to half. If your plant's soil is a well-draining mix formulated for succulents and overwatering is not the cause, the problem could be the lighting conditions. Most succulents can handle lots of light, but a green succulent that begins to take on a lighter, bleached-out, yellowish color when grown in too much light, such as full sun for the entire day.

Moving the plant into a spot that gets bright, indirect light should correct this problem. A succulent infested with pests might develop yellow leaves, a sign of general distress. For example, mealybugs , which form a cottony covering on leaves or spider mites, tiny insects that can cause yellow spots as they feed, could cause the problem. Spraying a plant with ready-to-use insecticidal soap kills these pests. Source: sfgate. We offer exchange or store credit of full priced items returned within 10 days of original purchase.

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We will email you a pre-paid label for your item. The cost of the label will be deducted from your issued store credit. Shipping charges are non-refundable. Please return items to: E. College St. Iowa City, IA Thank you for your support and for shopping small. All New. Candle Co. Richer Poorer Rolla's. Gift Cards Curated Gift Boxes. Water with care. Over-watering: Unfortunately, over-watering is a lot harder to fix than under-watering. Use the correct soil As mentioned, succulents do not like too much water, so the soil they are in plays a big factor in keeping them happy.

Choose the right pot.