Pothos Yellow Leaves: Causes and What to Check

Clemson says pothos yellow leaves are often caused by overwatering or low fertility, and Penn State says direct sun will also lead to the yellowing of leaves. That gives three causes to check, and they point in different directions: too much water, too little food, too much light. This guide sits under our pothos care guide and works through each, then covers the related damage the sources describe.

1. Overwatering

Clemson says yellow leaves are often caused by overwatering. It also says root rot is a common houseplant issue caused by overwatering or poorly draining soil, and NC State says root rot and blackening of the leaf margins can occur with overwatering. Clemson’s watering rule is to let the soil dry between each watering and then water thoroughly, and Penn State says pothos is better kept too dry than too wet.

To check: feel the soil, look for a saucer of standing water, and consider the mix. Clemson says the plant should be in an airy, well-draining soil mix. Our sources do not describe what a rotted root looks like, so use your judgment.

2. Low fertility

Clemson also names low fertility. Its correction is to fertilize with a houseplant fertilizer every other month during the spring and summer. NC State and Wisconsin say every other month except when the plant is dormant in winter. Penn State advises a more frequent schedule, monthly through the winter and every two weeks the rest of the year, which is a lot more than the other three. Because Wisconsin links excess fertilizer to blackened leaf margins, start with the every-other-month schedule rather than the most frequent one.

3. Direct sun

Penn State says direct sun will lead to the yellowing of leaves. Wisconsin says pothos does not tolerate much direct sunlight. Clemson says bright, indirect light is preferred. If the plant sits in a sunny window and the yellow leaves are the ones getting hit, move it back from the glass.

Light and food interact with water in a way the sources do not spell out. A plant in a dim spot may use less water, so a fixed schedule can overwater it, and a pot that stays wet for long invites the root rot Clemson describes. The sources do not draw that link, so take it as a reason to check the soil rather than a rule.

4. Other leaf damage

Yellow is not the only symptom. The sources describe three more.

5. Pests

Clemson says pothos are generally pest-free when kept indoors, but may be affected by spider mites and mealybugs. Wisconsin says the most common insect pests in homes are mealybugs and scale, with spider mites occasionally. Check the undersides of leaves and the stems. The sources do not link pests directly to yellowing, and they give no treatment.

What to do next

1. Check the soil first. If it is wet and the pot drains poorly, cut back on water (Clemson).
2. Check the light. Out of direct sun, in bright, indirect light (Penn State, Clemson).
3. Check your feeding. Every other month in spring and summer is the common schedule (Clemson, NC State, Wisconsin).
4. Look at vents and drafts. Clemson warns about heating and air conditioning vents.
5. Inspect for pests. Spider mites, mealybugs and scale (Clemson, Wisconsin).

What our sources do not tell you

Our sources do not say whether to remove yellow leaves, how many yellow leaves are normal, or how to tell overwatering from low fertility by looking at the leaf alone. If the plant keeps declining after you have worked through the list, take a photo to your state extension office or a master gardener helpline. Since the ASPCA lists pothos as toxic to dogs and cats, keep fallen leaves away from pets (see our pet safety page). Back to the pothos care guide.