Should I cut off the yellow leaves?

Yes, you can snip off yellow leaves with clean scissors. This keeps the plant looking tidy and allows it to focus energy on healthy growth.

Is yellowing always bad?

Not always, as older leaves naturally die off. However, if many leaves turn yellow at once, it is a sign that your watering routine needs adjustment.

China pink: yellow leaves, causes and fixes

Check these first

Feel the soil an inch deep to check for dampness.
Inspect the drainage holes to ensure they are not blocked.
Check the base of the plant for signs of mushy stems.

Likely causes

Overwatering
Most likely
How to tell: The lower leaves turn yellow and feel soft or mushy to the touch. The soil stays damp for more than a week after watering.
What to do: Let the top inch of soil dry out completely before watering again. Ensure your pot has drainage holes and never let the plant sit in a saucer of standing water.
Nutrient deficiency
Possible
How to tell: This is less common for this plant, but usually happens if the soil is depleted of minerals after a long growing season. The leaves turn a pale, sickly yellow while the veins remain green.
What to do: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Do this once a month during the spring and summer to replenish the soil.

Yellow leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your china pink

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 or if the stems feel soft. It is normal for an old, bottom leaf to yellow and drop off occasionally as the plant grows.

Stopping it coming back

Stick to a consistent watering schedule where you only water when the top inch of soil is dry. Use a well draining potting mix to prevent water from pooling around the roots.

China pink: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your china pink 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 off yellow leaves with clean scissors. This keeps the plant looking tidy and allows it to focus energy on healthy growth.
Is yellowing always bad?: Not always, as older leaves naturally die off. However, if many leaves turn yellow at once, it is a sign that your watering routine needs adjustment.

Why are my China pink's leaves turning yellow?