Should I cut off the yellow leaves?

Yes, you can snip them off with clean scissors to keep the plant looking tidy. This also helps you monitor if the yellowing is continuing to spread.

Can I save a plant with yellow leaves?

If the roots are still firm and healthy, the plant will likely recover once you adjust your watering schedule. If the stems are mushy, the damage may be too severe.

Climbing Aloe: yellow leaves, causes and fixes

Check these first

Feel the soil two inches down to check for moisture.
Inspect the base of the stems for signs of mushiness.
Move the plant to a brighter location if it looks pale.

Likely causes

Overwatering
Most likely
How to tell: The leaves feel soft or mushy to the touch and the soil is damp deep down. This often leads to yellowing starting from the base of the plant.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the soil dry out completely. If the soil is heavy or holds too much water, repot the plant into a well draining cactus mix.
Low Light
Possible
How to tell: The plant looks stretched out and the leaves lose their vibrant green color, eventually turning pale yellow. This happens when the plant is kept in a dark corner for too long.
What to do: Move your plant to a spot with bright, indirect light or some direct sun. Gradually introduce it to more light over a week to avoid sunburn.

Yellow leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your climbing aloe

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

When to worry

Worry if the yellowing spreads rapidly across the whole plant. It is normal for the very bottom, oldest leaves to turn yellow and dry up as the plant grows.

Stopping it coming back

Always let the soil dry out entirely between waterings and ensure your pot has drainage holes.

Climbing Aloe: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your climbing aloe and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Should I cut off the yellow leaves?: Yes, you can snip them off with clean scissors to keep the plant looking tidy. This also helps you monitor if the yellowing is continuing to spread.
Can I save a plant with yellow leaves?: If the roots are still firm and healthy, the plant will likely recover once you adjust your watering schedule. If the stems are mushy, the damage may be too severe.

Why are my Climbing Aloe's leaves turning yellow?