So, your houseplants are yellow…

It’s about that time of year when we notice our houseplants start to look yellow, and overall just, not good. Maybe they are getting crispy along the edges or loosing leaves all together. If this sounds familiar, don’t panic. Here’s a few tricks to help.

LEAVES CURLING INWARD, DROOPING OR CRISPING = Check the soil, is it pulling away from the sides of the pot? If so, under watering is to blame. Sit your pot in a tub of water for a few hours to rehydrate. If it seems hydrated, make sure it is not receiving too much dry heat from a vent nearby.

LEAVES FADING TO GREEN OR BRIGHT YELLOW = The ombre effect. This is usually accompanied by wet soil and little gnats on the soil surface. You may also see blackening at the base of the stems. This is a sign of overwatering. Either repot into fresh soil, or let the soil dry out before watering again.

IRREGULAR YELLOWING OR LEAF DEFORMITIES =  More unusual to see, this can be caused by pests or mineral deficiency. Turn over leaves and inspect the pot for signs of insects. If none are found, try a diluted fertilizer that contains calcium and boron.

WHOLE PLANT YELLOWING, MAY DROP LEAVES =  This is most likely a temperature thing and usually appears as a more pale, whitish yellow. Move away from vents, windows, or doors that could be causing drafts.

Submitted by Alexis Sheffield, Agent for Horticulture, Boyle County Cooperative Extension Service