Philodendron Hope is beloved for its deep green, lush leaves that add life to any space. But over time, you may notice its leaves turning yellow. This unsightly discoloration can be worrying. Fortunately, with the right troubleshooting, you can get your Philodendron Hope thriving again.
Why Philodendron Hope Leaves Turn Yellow
There are several potential causes of yellowing leaves on Philodendron Hope plants
Improper Watering
Too much or too little water is the most common reason for yellow leaves on Philodendron Hope. Overwatering keeps the soil soggy, leading to root rot and yellowing from the bottom up Underwatering causes leaves to dry out and yellow
Low Humidity
Philodendron Hope needs consistent humidity above 50% Low humidity dries out leaves, causing browning edges and yellowing
Lighting Issues
Too much direct sun burns leaves yellow. But not enough light stops photosynthesis, which makes leaves turn pale and yellow.
Nutrient Deficiency
Lower, older leaves turn yellow first when they don’t get enough nutrients like nitrogen and iron. Too much fertilizer can also burn roots and leaves.
Pests
Other insects that feed on sap, like spider mites, thrips, aphids, and others, take away nutrients and water, leaving behind yellow, spotted leaves.
Diseases
Fungal or bacterial diseases disrupt nutrient flow, often causing yellowing. High humidity and wet soil promote diseases.
Environmental Stress
Drafts, changes in temperature, dry air, or being shocked when you repot the plant can all stress it out and cause it to turn yellow.
Natural Leaf Aging
Older bottom leaves yellowing on a healthy plant allows relocation of energy to new growth. This is normal.
How to Fix and Prevent Yellow Leaves
If your Philodendron Hope has yellow leaves, use these tips to get it thriving again:
-
Water properly – Check soil with your finger. Water when the top few inches are dry. Ensure soil drains well.
-
Increase humidity – Use a pebble tray or humidifier to maintain 50-70% humidity. Mist leaves daily.
-
Provide bright, indirect light – Avoid direct sun, which burns leaves. Supplement with grow lights if needed.
-
Check for pests – Treat any pests like spider mites with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap.
-
Improve air flow – Allow space between plants, use fans, and prune dense growth.
-
Feed with balanced fertilizer – Apply houseplant fertilizer at half strength every 2-4 weeks in spring and summer.
-
Treat disease – Remove affected leaves. Use copper fungicide if fungus is present.
-
Avoid repotting stress – Repot only when necessary and allow time to recover afterward.
-
Change watering technique – Water at the base of the plant, not from overhead.
-
Remove yellow leaves – Prune off yellow leaves to improve appearance and prevent disease spread.
With vigilant troubleshooting and preventive care, you can keep your Philodendron Hope thriving for years to come!
When to Worry About Persistent Yellow Leaves
While occasional yellowing is normal, be concerned if you notice:
-
Many leaves rapidly yellowing at once
-
Yellowing spreading from leaf tips/margins inward
-
Yellow leaves quickly browning and dropping
-
Mushy, rotten roots upon inspection
-
Evidence of pests like webbing or sticky residue
-
Spreading leaf spots indicating disease
If yellowing continues despite your best efforts, consider:
-
Using a moisture meter to precisely determine watering needs
-
Trying a water-soluble fertilizer to quickly boost nutrients
-
Increasing humidity with a humidifier
-
Applying copper fungicide drench to kill root pathogens
-
Propagating healthy vines to start over with a fresh plant
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the leaves on my Philodendron Hope turning yellow?
The most common causes of yellow leaves are improper watering, low humidity, too much or too little light, pests, diseases, and environmental stress. Pinpoint the cause and adjust care accordingly.
What causes yellow spots on Philodendron Hope leaves?
Yellow spots are typically a sign of bacterial leaf spot disease promoted by poor air circulation and wet conditions. Improve air flow and moisture management.
Why are the new leaves on my Philodendron Hope turning yellow?
Overwatering causes soggy soil and roots leading to yellowing new growth. Allow the soil to dry out more between waterings.
Should I remove the yellow leaves from my Philodendron Hope?
Yes, prune off yellow leaves to improve appearance and prevent disease spread. Just don’t remove more than 75% of leaves at once.
How can I prevent yellow leaves on my Philodendron Hope?
Provide consistent, proper care and growing conditions. Water appropriately, increase humidity, offer bright indirect light, feed monthly, and inspect for pests.
What if the yellow leaves on my Philodendron Hope won’t go away?
Consider using a moisture meter, fertilizing, increasing humidity, applying copper fungicide, or propagating healthy cuttings to start fresh. Seek other advice if problems persist.
The Takeaway
It’s common for Philodendron Hope to get yellow leaves, but easy fixes like watering properly and increasing humidity can get your plant thriving again. Consistent preventive care is key. With vigilance and by troubleshooting at the first sign of yellowing, you can enjoy your beautiful, green, and healthy Philodendron Hope for years to come.
A philodendron vine 60 feet6 long with leaves 3 feet tall and 30 inches across
Split-leaf philodendron or Monstera deliciosa is a native to the tropical forests of Southern Mexico and south to Panama. Our plant comes from Central America and can be aggressive. It has become an invasive species on a number of tropical islands. I want you to picture this in the jungles of Central America. You can find these beautiful vines growing to 60 feet long. Wow, right? The leaves can get as big as 3 feet tall by 30 inches across.
One of my Facebook friends who loves plants and serves as a place for people to talk about her passion for tropical plants asked me about why her plant’s leaves were yellow. When I was looking at plants in the plant rental sites we cared for many years ago, we usually had several answers to any challenge, including removing the plant from the site. Frequently we would solve the challenge while the plant was still installed.
This church has a huge west window and lots of great places to put plants. However, we did have to take extra care of some very dry spots where these split-leaf philodendrons were growing. Bottom line is that we did see these yellow leaves regularly until we welded together some tubs that were 6 inches tall. With the huge amount of water under each of the pots, we found that the plague of yellow leaves was done.
Plant woes may be due to several factors
The split-leaf philodendron can get yellow leaves if it doesn’t get enough water or light, if it doesn’t get enough nutrients, or if it gets bugs. Improper watering is the usual reason for the yellowing leaves. If your monstera is overwatered, you’ll see leaves yellowing from the bottom up first. You’ll also want to check the soil to see if it still feels wet after you watered. When the soil is packed down, it doesn’t let water drain away in the way that plants need. This was usually the reason I would repot a plant.
What reveals the need for repotting is that if you watered the philodendron more than a week ago and the top few inches still feels wet. Or if you have a water meter and it reads higher than four your soil may not be draining well, which leads to overwatering. Underwatered philodendrons that have yellow leaves will have yellow leaves all over the plant rather than concentrated in one area.
Brown spots may also appear on the leaves. If the top of your plant feels bone dry it probably needs water. When your philodendron has a meter reading of lower than three, it’s time to water.
Because we are looking at a jungle plant, we need to understand it does best in indirect sunlight. Afternoon and strong midday sun directly on this jungle plant can scorch the leaves which will show up as yellowing. Compacted soil in the pot combined with too little light can also increase the chance for yellow leaves. Grow lights can be used to supplement light as it is needed.
Fertilizing philodendrons improperly also can cause yellow leaves. Since the philodendron is a house plant, you will need to fertilize the plant with a complete fertilizer including nitrogen and follow the instructions.