Address the issue promptly if your prayer plant’s leaves are turning yellow. Yellowing leaves signal underlying problems in your prayer plant. Here’s a look at the potential causes and how to manage prayer plant yellow leaves effectively.
Prayer Plant Yellow Leaves: Some Common Causes
Too much water
Excess water is the leading cause of prayer plant leaves yellowing. These plants are sensitive to humidity. Yellowing leaves are a sign that the roots have been damaged, most likely due to root rot from waterlogged soil.
Not watering enough
On the other hand, prayer plant leaves may turn yellow if you don’t provide enough water. Once compacted soil smothers the roots and dries out completely, the plant will struggle to support all of its foliage.
Low Humidity
High humidity is best for prayer plants. The older leaves can turn yellow in dry air near a plant, such as in winter or rooms with air conditioning on full blast.
Poor Soil Drainage
If not corrected, your prayer plant leaves will turn yellow because the roots have become waterlogged. Water flow is essential for keeping plants alive.
Nutrient Deficiency
Lack of nitrogen can leave your plant hungry and weak. Without enough nutrients, the plant becomes more vulnerable to health problems.
Pests or Diseases
Spider mites or diseases can also cause prayer plant leaves to turn yellow. Targeted treatments may be necessary to solve these problems.
How to Fix Yellowing Leaves on Your Prayer Plant
Adjust Your Watering Routine
- Over water: Let the soil dry an inch from the top between watering.
- Water flow: Your pot needs drainage holes, and you should keep the plant from sitting in standing water. If these changes do not prevent the yellowing, consider other options, such as repotting your plant in a fresh potting mix for improved drainage.
- Not enough water: When the top inch of soil feels dry, give your prayer plant a thorough watering. Keep the soil consistently moist without allowing it to become too wet.
Increase Humidity
Increase the humidity around your plant to address low moisture, which might be causing the prayer plant leaves to turn yellow. Use a humidifier and place a tray of water near the plant. Keeping humidity is critical to ensuring your plant will flourish and prevent yellowing.
Improve Soil Drainage
Make sure your pot has plenty of drainage holes. Use a potting mix that drains well, like one with perlite or orchid bark. It will at least ward off waterlogging and root rot, which is one of the troubling causes if your prayer plant has yellowing leaves.
Fertilize Appropriately
Apply a general-purpose, water-soluble fertilizer during the growing season (spring and summer). Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to avoid over-fertilizing, which can also result in yellowing leaves. Corrective fertilization could help correct nutrient deficiencies that might be causing the problem.
Check for Insects and Disease
Check for pests, such as spider mites, and signs of disease regularly. Insecticidal soap or neem oil can combat infestations, while fungicides can be applied for fungal infections. Pruning off infected leaves can help decrease the spread of disease and improve plant health in general.
Conclusion
By taking care of these frequent issues from which prayer plant leaves turn yellow your plants will regain their health. If the yellowing does not give up, you better ask your nearest plant doctor for additional help.
