Should I cut off yellow leaves?

Yes, you can trim them off with clean scissors. They will not turn green again, so removing them helps the plant focus energy on new growth.

Does low light cause yellow leaves?

Yes, if the plant is in a very dark corner, it may drop leaves or turn them yellow because it cannot support its current size. Move it to a spot with brighter indirect light.

Golden Pothos: yellow leaves, causes and fixes

Check these first

Touch the top 2 inches of soil to check for moisture.
Inspect the pot to ensure it has drainage holes.
Look at the base of the plant for older leaves.

Likely causes

Overwatering
Most likely
How to tell: The soil feels constantly soggy or wet to the touch, and the yellow leaves may feel soft or mushy.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top 2 to 3 inches of soil dry out completely. Ensure your pot has drainage holes so excess water can escape.
Natural Aging
Possible
How to tell: Only the oldest leaves near the base of the vine are turning yellow while the rest of the plant looks healthy.
What to do: Simply snip off the yellow leaf with clean scissors. This is a normal part of the plant life cycle and requires no extra care.

Yellow leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your golden pothos

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

If multiple leaves turn yellow at once or the stems feel mushy, you need to act fast. A single yellow leaf at the base is usually just an old leaf dying off.

Stopping it coming back

Stick to a consistent schedule where you only water when the top few centimeters of soil feel dry.

Golden Pothos: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your golden pothos 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 yellow leaves?: Yes, you can trim them off with clean scissors. They will not turn green again, so removing them helps the plant focus energy on new growth.
Does low light cause yellow leaves?: Yes, if the plant is in a very dark corner, it may drop leaves or turn them yellow because it cannot support its current size. Move it to a spot with brighter indirect light.

From our journal

Why are my pothos leaves turning yellow?

Why are my Golden Pothos leaves turning yellow?

Check these first

Not sure what's wrong with your golden pothos?