ZZ plant leaves turning yellow – Toronto Master Gardeners (2024)

FAQs

ZZ plant leaves turning yellow – Toronto Master Gardeners? ›

Too much moisture is the primary cause of leaf yellowing in these plants. However, under watering can also cause leaves to yellow and develop brown tips!

Overwatering is generally the cause of a yellow ZZ plant – and in severe cases, the foliage may droop and even fall off. These plants only require a drink when their soil feels dry to the touch. They need to be planted in a well-draining potting mix, in a container with drainage holes, too.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Blank says that a lack of nitrogen, iron, or magnesium, can cause plant leaves to yellow. Check the potting soil or dirt used for your plant to ensure it has enough nutrients since this is the primary source of nutrients for plants. Additionally, plants get nutrients from water and air.

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. (Although in cases of nutrient deficiencies, sometimes yellow leaf color can green back up again with treatment.)

ZZ plants will not tolerate direct sunlight except perhaps an eastern exposure during the winter months. Too much direct light will cause scalding (a whitening) of leaves and leaves may curl. Leaves exposed to too much light may yellow and then brown.

How can I tell if I am overwatering my ZZ? Overwatering results in mushy brown stalks and yellowing of the leaves. Dropping leaves can also be an indication of overwatering. Hold off on watering and prune your plant.

Determine which by feeling the leaf showing browning: if it feels crispy and light, it is underwatered. If it feels soft and limp, it is overwatered. Yellowing leaves: Usually accompanied by new growth falling, yellow leaves are an indication of overwatering.

Your plant needs fertilizer.

If your plant's older leaves are turning yellow and the new ones are very light green, this could be caused by a nitrogen deficiency. Look for houseplant-specific fertilizer that features nitrogen.

Slow growth and uniform yellowing of older leaves are usually the first symptoms of nitrogen (N) deficiency. Nitrogen-deficient plants produce smaller than normal fruit, leaves, and shoots and these can develop later than normal. Broadleaf foliage in fall may be more reddish than normal and drop prematurely.

What to feed plants with yellow leaves? ›

Potassium Deficiency

Signs: Leaf edges and tips yellow, and mature leaves may develop brown spots or yellow-brown veins. Treatment: Add fruit and veggie rich compost to the soil, or bury citrus rinds at the base of the plant. A potassium specific fertilizer may be used as well.

Magnesium deficiency

Symptoms: Yellowing between the leaf veins, sometimes with reddish brown tints and early leaf fall. Magnesium deficiency is common in tomatoes, apples, grape vines, raspberries, roses and rhododendrons.

The number one cause of yellowing leaves among ZZ Plants is overwatering. ZZ Plants basically thrive off of neglect–they don't need much water to survive. Only water when 100% of the soil volume is dry. Water until water flows freely from the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot.

It's a good idea to move it to a position with more natural light to keep it thriving. You can also use grow lights, like this plant grow light from Amazon, to provide your ZZ with extra light if it sits in a shadier position in your home.

ZZ plants have very few problems under proper care and conditions. Most troubles start with overwatering. Soft, weak, droopy leaves point to overly wet soil. Leaves of overwatered plants may turn yellow, then brown or black.

Water your ZZ Plant every 2-3 weeks, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Expect to water more often in brighter light and less often in lower light. Signs that it is thirsty include wilting, wrinkled leaves, and dry potting mix, while wet mix or yellowing and mushy leaves signal overwatering and root rot.

You may be overwatering your ZZ plant if you notice that leaves are both turning yellow and falling off. This plant is slow to grow. It may take a few years for your plant to grow a few feet. The best way to help your ZZ plant's growth process is by giving it optimal light, water and temperature conditions.