Pothos is one of the easiest indoor plants to care for. It is known for its beautiful heart-shaped green leaves and its ability to live for many years when properly maintained. However, this plant can still suffer from several issues if exposed to unsuitable growing conditions, and one of the most common problems is leaf yellowing.
Yellowing leaves can happen for many different reasons, but the good news is that most of them can be fixed so the plant can grow healthy again.
This article covers the main causes of yellowing pothos leaves and the best solutions for each problem.
Causes of Yellowing Pothos Leaves
1. Root Rot
Overwatering or poor soil drainage can cause roots to rot, preventing the plant from absorbing nutrients properly. This leads to yellowing leaves and eventually leaf drop.
2. Manganese Toxicity
Excess manganese in the soil is harmful to pothos—especially mature plants—and often results in yellow leaves.
3. Light Exposure
Pothos needs bright to medium indirect light.
When placed in very low-light or dark areas, its leaves gradually turn yellow.
4. Pest Infestations
Pothos growing in poor conditions—such as low light, nutrient deficiencies, or overly moist soil—becomes more vulnerable to pests that feed on plant sap, causing yellowing leaves.
5. Nutrient Imbalance
Both over-fertilizing and under-fertilizing can lead to yellow leaves, as nutrient levels become unbalanced.
6. Temperature Stress
Extreme heat or cold damages pothos plants.
This stress can cause water evaporation, cell death in stems and leaves, and ultimately yellowing foliage.
How to Treat Yellowing Pothos Leaves
Fixing Root Rot
- Use a pot with proper drainage holes.
- Water the plant deeply with filtered, distilled, or rainwater until water drains out.
- Water again only when the topsoil becomes dry.
Fixing Manganese Toxicity
- Reduce manganese levels by using fertilizers with proper micronutrient balance.
- Always check fertilizer labels before applying.
Correcting Light Problems
- Move the plant to a bright spot with indirect sunlight.
- East- or north-facing windows are ideal.
Treating Pest Issues
- Clean the leaves regularly to prevent pest buildup.
- If pests appear, use a plant-safe insecticide or neem oil.
Resolving Fertilizer Problems
- Fertilize pothos only during spring and summer every 2–3 months.
- Avoid fertilizing during winter when growth slows.
Managing Temperature Stress
- Keep pothos in temperatures between 18–30°C (65–86°F).
- Keep it away from air conditioners in summer and heaters or fireplaces in winter.
