Pothos Leaves Turning Yellow: Common Causes and Solutions

Have you noticed the yellowing leaves on your pothos plant? You're not alone. This common houseplant problem can be frustrating, especially since pothos are known for being practically indestructible. But don’t stress—those yellow leaves aren’t a death sentence. In fact, they’re usually your plant’s way of saying, “Hey, something’s not right!”

So, if your pothos is looking a little sad with the yellowing leaves, take a breath and start investigating. Look closely at where the yellowing is happening and what the leaves feel like. Are the yellow ones near the bottom? Are they soft and droopy or dry and crispy? Each clue helps tell a different story. Let’s break down what your pothos is trying to tell you.

Common Causes of Pothos Yellow Leaves

Understanding the underlying causes can help you restore your plant’s health. Let’s take a closer look at the most likely culprits.

Overwatering

This is, without a doubt, the most common reason for yellowing pothos leaves. When the soil stays too wet for too long, the roots suffocate—they need oxygen just like we do. Without it, they start to rot, losing their ability to absorb water and nutrients. That’s when the leaves turn yellow, droop, and the plant’s health takes a nosedive.

If you suspect overwatering, stop immediately and let the soil dry out completely. Gently check the roots—if they’re soft, dark, or smell funky, root rot has set in. Snip off the damaged roots with clean scissors, then repot your pothos in fresh, well-draining soil.

But don’t stop there—you’ll need to adjust your watering routine too. Pothos like their soil to dry out a bit between waterings. An easy trick? Stick your finger about 1 inch into the soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. If it’s still damp, give it a few more days.

Underwatering

On the flip side, underwatering is another reason your pothos may be unhappy. While they are drought-tolerant, that doesn’t mean they can survive total neglect. If you haven’t watered in weeks or live in a dry area, your plant might be too thirsty. When that happens, it pulls water from older leaves to save energy for new ones. This causes the leaves to turn yellow, starting at the edges or tips and spreading inward.

To fix it, give your plant a deep drink of water until excess water drains from the bottom. Check the soil weekly and water when the top inch feels dry. If your pothos dries out too often, consider repotting into a slightly larger container or using a moisture-retentive (but still well-draining) soil mix. 

Poor Drainage and Potting Soil Issues

You might be watering just the right amount, but if your pothos is stuck in the wrong soil or a pot without proper drainage, it's still going to struggle. Good drainage is essential for a healthy, happy plant.

Pothos prefer a light, airy soil mix that drains well. A great combo is one part peat moss or coco coir, one part perlite, and one part general-purpose potting soil. This mix keeps the roots well-aerated while holding just enough moisture between waterings. And don’t forget about the pot—make sure it has drainage holes. A simple nursery pot works perfectly.

Lack of Light

Too little light is another major reason why pothos leaves can turn yellow. Although these plants are known for their tolerance to low light, "tolerant" doesn't mean "thriving. If your pothos is stuck in a dark corner or a room without windows, its growth will slow down and the green pigment (chlorophyll) in the leaves will begin to fade-leading to yellowing. 

To remedy this, try moving your plant to a brighter spot or adding some artificial lighting. LED grow lightsare a great option—they mimic natural sunlight and offer a full spectrum of light that plants thrive on. Plus, they can be customized to boost the specific wavelengths that promote healthy growth, like red, blue, and green light, making them ideal for dark spaces or gloomy seasons.

Too Much Direct Sunlight

While pothos enjoys bright light, direct sunlight can be too much of a good thing. Those strong afternoon rays—especially from unfiltered south-facing windows—can actually burn the leaves. You'll notice the damage as uneven yellow patches or crispy brown edges on otherwise healthy foliage. 

The fix is easy: simply move your plant to a spot with bright but indirect light. An east-facing window where it gets gentle morning sun, or a north-facing one with consistent soft light, are perfect choices. If you only have sunny windows, a sheer curtain makes an excellent "sunglasses" for your pothos, diffusing that intense light.

Nutrient Deficiency

Your pothos needs more than just water and sunlight—it also craves nutrients. Yellowing leaves are often a sign that it’s missing essentials. When nutrients are low, the plant starts pulling them from older leaves to support new growth, leading those older leaves to yellow and drop.

• Nitrogen: Vital for overall growth and green, healthy leaves. A lack of nitrogen often causes uniform yellowing, especially in older leaves.
• Magnesium: Important for chlorophyll production. A deficiency typically shows as yellowing between the veins while the veins themselves stay green.
• Iron: Needed for new leaf development. Low iron causes younger leaves to yellow while older ones stay green.
• Potassium: Helps with overall plant function and disease resistance. A shortage can cause yellowing along leaf edges and tips, often with brown spots.

The fix? Fertilize smart. Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer (like 20-20-20 or 10-10-10) every 4–6 weeks during spring and summer, diluted to half strength. Skip feeding in fall and winter when growth slows, and flush the soil every few months to prevent salt buildup.

Pests and Infestations

Sometimes the problem isn’t you—it’s uninvited guests. Pests like spider mites, mealybugs, scale, and thrips love to feast on pothos leaves. These tiny intruders suck out the sap, weakening the plant and causing yellowing, curling, and even dropping of leaves.

To destroy them, gently wipe the leaves with a damp cloth. You can also spray the plant with a mix of neem oil or insecticidal soap diluted according to the instructions. For heavier infestations, isolate the plant and repeat the treatment every few days for a couple of weeks. A healthy pothos is less likely to attract pests, so keep conditions stable and check your plant regularly to prevent pests.

Temperature Stress

Cattails love warmth and consistency—they’re not fans of sudden chills or scorching heat. Cold drafts from windows or AC vents can shock them, turning leaves yellow or even black at the edges. On the other hand, dry heat from radiators or heaters can zap moisture from the foliage, leaving behind crispy brown tips.

For happy cattails, aim for a steady 65–85°F (18–29°C) range. Keep them away from drafty spots, direct blasts of hot or cold air, and any place with wild temperature swings. A stable, cozy environment will help your plant stay lush and healthy.

Root Bound

If your pothos has been living in the same pot for a few years, it might be feeling a little cramped. Signs of a root-bound plant include roots growing out of the drainage holes or tightly circling the inside of the pot. When the roots take over the container, they struggle to absorb water and nutrients effectively, which can lead to yellowing leaves and stunted growth.

If you suspect your pothos is root-bound, it’s time for an upgrade. Choose a new pot that’s just 1–2 inches wider in diameter than the current one. When repotting, gently loosen the root ball to help the roots spread into their new space. Use fresh, well-draining potting mix to give your plant a healthy, nutrient-rich start in its new home.

Natural Aging Process

Not all yellowing is a crisis. Sometimes, it's just nature doing its thing. As pothos grow, older leaves—especially those near the base—will naturally yellow and fall off. This is part of the plant’s growth cycle. If only one or two leaves are yellowing occasionally, and everything else looks healthy, you’ve got nothing to worry about. Just snip them off with clean scissors and carry on.

Can Yellowing Pothos Leaves Turn Green Again

Unfortunately, once a pothos leaf turns yellow, it’s unlikely to turn green again. However, you can trim off the yellow leaves to help the plant focus its energy on new growth. If you address the underlying issue quickly, you can prevent more leaves from turning yellow and help the plant bounce back. Once the plant is back in a healthy environment, it will start producing fresh, green leaves again.