Why Are My Pothos Leaves Turning Yellow? 7 Causes and Fixes

In most cases, yellow pothos leaves are caused by overwatering. Pothos like their soil to dry out partway between waterings, and soggy roots are the number-one reason leaves go yellow and soft. But a few other things—light, aging, nutrients, and pests—can cause it too. Here's how to tell which one you're dealing with, starting with the most likely.

Quick reference: healthy pothos care

1. Overwatering (the most common cause)

If several leaves turn yellow at once and feel soft or limp, and the soil is wet, overwatering is almost certainly the culprit. Constantly wet soil suffocates the roots and can lead to root rot.

How to fix it: Stop watering and let the soil dry out. Only water when the top inch or two is dry to the touch—stick your finger in to check. Make sure the pot has drainage holes and empty any saucer so the plant never sits in water. If you tend to overwater, a cheap moisture meter takes the guesswork out. [AFFILIATE: soil moisture meter]

2. Underwatering

Less common, but if the leaves are yellowing and the soil is bone dry and pulling away from the pot's edges, the plant may be too thirsty. You'll often see crispy edges alongside the yellowing.

How to fix it: Give it a thorough drink until water runs out the drainage holes, then let the top inch dry before the next watering. If the soil is so dry it repels water, bottom-water by setting the pot in a tray of water for 20–30 minutes.

3. Too much direct sunlight

Pothos want bright, indirect light. Harsh direct sun can scorch and yellow the leaves, often with pale or bleached patches.

How to fix it: Move it a few feet back from a bright window, or filter the light with a sheer curtain.

4. Too little light

At the other extreme, a pothos stuck in a dim corner may slowly yellow lower leaves and grow leggy with lots of space between leaves.

How to fix it: Move it somewhere brighter (indirect), or add an inexpensive grow light if you don't have a good window. [AFFILIATE: LED grow light]

5. Natural aging

If it's just one older leaf near the base turning yellow now and then while the rest of the plant looks great, relax—that's normal. Plants shed old leaves to put energy into new growth.

How to fix it: Nothing needed. Snip off the spent leaf if you like.

6. Nutrient deficiency

A pothos that hasn't been fertilized or repotted in a long time can yellow uniformly, especially if growth has stalled and the plant is root-bound.

How to fix it: Feed with a balanced houseplant fertilizer at half strength during spring and summer, and repot into fresh soil if roots are circling the pot. [AFFILIATE: balanced houseplant fertilizer]

7. Pests

Check the undersides of leaves and the stems for tiny webbing (spider mites) or small bumps (scale). Pests drain the plant and cause yellow, stippled, or mottled leaves.

How to fix it: Wipe the plant down, rinse it off, and treat with insecticidal soap or a diluted neem oil spray until the pests are gone. Isolate it from your other plants in the meantime.

Should you cut off yellow pothos leaves?

Yes—once a leaf has turned fully yellow it won't turn green again, so you can trim it off at the base to keep the plant tidy and let it focus on healthy growth. But fix the underlying cause first, or new leaves will just yellow too.

FAQ

Will yellow pothos leaves turn green again? No. A fully yellowed leaf won't recover, but the rest of the plant will bounce back once you correct the cause. New growth should come in healthy and green.

How often should I water a pothos? There's no fixed schedule—water when the top 1–2 inches of soil are dry. That's often roughly once a week, but it depends on your light, pot size, and home.

Is a yellow pothos dying? Usually not. A few yellow leaves are a normal warning sign, most often from overwatering. Pothos are tough and recover well once you fix the cause.

Related: How to Tell If a Plant Is Overwatered vs Underwatered · How to Get Rid of Fungus Gnats