Pocket Botanist
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Check these first
- Stick your finger an inch into the soil to check moisture.
- Ensure the pot has drainage holes.
- Check if the plant has been sitting in standing water.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves turn yellow and feel soft or mushy to the touch. The soil will feel constantly soggy.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the soil dry out. If the soil is waterlogged, repot the plant into fresh, well draining soil.
Underwatering
PossibleHow to tell: The leaves turn yellow and become dry or crispy at the edges. The soil will be pulling away from the sides of the pot.
What to do: Water the plant thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes. Maintain a schedule of watering every 5 to 10 days to keep the soil consistently moist.
Find out what's wrong with your pignut
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
It is normal for the oldest, lowest leaves to yellow and drop as the plant grows. Worry if the yellowing is happening to many leaves at once.
Stopping it coming back
Stick to a consistent watering routine and always check the soil before adding more water.
Pignut: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your pignut 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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Should I cut off the yellow leaves?
- Yes, you can trim them off with clean scissors. This helps the plant focus energy on healthy growth.
- Can too much sun cause yellowing?
- Yes, if the plant is in harsh direct sun, it can bleach the leaves. Move it to a spot with bright indirect light.
Guides to these causes
More problems with pignut
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.