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why are my pothos leaves turning yellow

Author

Olivia Hensley

Updated on July 01, 2026

Snip off yellowing leaves, disinfecting the blades after each cut. If more than one-third of the pathos leaves yellow, trim over time rather than removing so much foliage at once. If the disease has spread to the roots, you may not be able to save the plant.

How do you fix a pothos leaves turning yellow?

Pothos leaves turn yellow due to overwatering, underwatering, overexposure to sunlight, or diseases. Fix the leaf yellowing in pothos by watering the plant only when the top quarter of the soil is dry. Treat fungal diseases and prune any old yellow leaves to help the plant turn green quickly.

Can yellow pothos leaves turn green again?

Chlorophyll gives a leaf its green color. When the leaf loses its chlorophyll, the plant abandons it and begins to absorb leftover nutrients from the leaf. That’s why once the leaf turns yellow, you generally can’t make it turn back green again.

Do pothos need sunlight?

Your Pothos is adaptable. It prefers bright, indirect light, but will tolerate medium and low light. They do not do well in direct sunlight since the sun will burn the foliage. Water your Pothos when the top 50% of the soil is dry.

How do you save Overwatered pothos?

The most important step to save your overwatered pothos is to remove excess water to prevent root rot. If the soil is still too damp, carefully remove the pothos root ball and replant it. If your pothos suffers from root rot, trim the vines as close to the root as possible and place the trimmed vines into water.

Can a pothos get too much sun?

When your Pothos gets too much sunlight, it’ll get sunburns on its leaves. The sunburns will show up on the variegated parts of the leaves most of the time and are unfortunately permanent. Sunburns won’t heal, so you could trim the leaf off if you want to.

How often should you water a pothos?

Water. Water every 1-2 weeks, allowing soil to dry out between waterings. Expect to water more often in brighter light and less often in lower light.

Do pothos need fertilizer?

Pothos plants are not heavy feeders. But because there are typically no nutrients in most potting soils, you can feed the plant monthly to bi-monthly with any balanced houseplant fertilizer to increase nutrition.

How do I know if my pothos has root rot?

One obvious sign your pothos has root rot is its leaves will slowly begin to wilt and yellow even though the soil is moist, or, if you check the roots, they may feel soggy and look brown or black. If you suspect your plant has root rot, DO NOT OVERWATER.

Why are my indoor plants turning yellow?

The most common reason that plants’ leaves turn yellow is because of moisture stress, which can be from either over watering or under watering. If you have a plant that has yellow leaves, check the soil in the pot to see if the soil is dry.

How do you fix yellowing plants?

Houseplant Help: How to Save a Plant Whose Leaves are Turning
Step 1: Check for “Moisture Stress” Step 2: Look for Unwelcome Critters. Step 3: Let Them Soak Up the Sun. Step 4: Protect Them from Cold Drafts. Step 5: Make Sure They’re Well-Fed.

Will an overwatered pothos recover?

There are 3 ways to save an overwatered Pothos. First, remove excess water and wait for the soil to dry. You can also remove as much soil as you can without disrupting the root ball and repot. But, if the plant has root rot, cut the vine into pieces and set them in water or soil to form new plants.

How do I know if my pothos is healthy?

As with any plant, watch leaves for signs of the plant’s well-being: if the leaves are glossy, green, and perky, the plant is happy; if they’re wilting or turning brown, you’re not watering enough. Yellow leaves are a sign of over-watering and root-rot.

How do I know when my pothos needs water?

A good rule of thumb is to let the soil mostly dry out between waterings. The soil should feel dry when you poke your finger in. If you use a moisture meter to determine the moisture level of the soil, you’re looking for a reading of 2-3 to indicate that your pothos is ready for a drink.

Should I mist my pothos?

Pothos does not need misting to thrive. However, in dry and dusty conditions, it may appreciate a light misting from time to time. Misting is not a solution for insufficient humidity levels as its effects are short-lived.

Are coffee grounds good for pothos?

Coffee grounds are good for pothos if applied carefully. Coffee grounds can do exceptional help to the growth and protection of your pothos plant due to their high amount of nitrogen.

Do pothos like bathrooms?

Pothos. Since pothos like moderate to low, indirect light, it’s the perfect plant to put on a bathroom shelf or counter. “Although pothos doesn’t necessarily need the extra humidity, it’s a great pick for a bathroom because it’s tolerant of lower light levels and irregular watering,” Marino says.