Should I cut off yellow leaves?

Yes, you can snip them off with clean scissors. This helps the plant focus its energy on healthy growth.

Can low light cause yellow leaves?

Yes, if the plant does not get enough light, it cannot support all its leaves. Move it to a brighter spot with indirect light.

Banyan tree: yellow leaves, causes and fixes

Check these first

Press your finger into the soil to check for dampness.
Inspect the drainage holes to ensure they are not blocked.
Check if the pot feels heavy from excess water.

Likely causes

Overwatering
Most likely
How to tell: The leaves turn yellow and feel soft or mushy. The soil stays wet for a long time after watering.
What to do: Let the soil dry out more thoroughly between waterings. Ensure your pot has drainage holes so excess water can escape.
Underwatering
Possible
How to tell: The leaves turn yellow, look crispy, and may curl at the edges. The soil feels hard and pulls away from the sides of the pot.
What to do: Give the plant a thorough soaking until water runs out of the drainage holes. Resume your 7 to 10 day watering schedule.

Yellow leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your banyan tree

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

A single yellow leaf at the bottom of the plant is just an old leaf dying off. Worry if multiple leaves turn yellow at once or if the yellowing spreads to the top of the plant.

Stopping it coming back

Always check the soil moisture with your finger before adding more water. Never let the tree sit in a saucer of standing water.

Banyan tree: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your banyan tree 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 snip them off with clean scissors. This helps the plant focus its energy on healthy growth.
Can low light cause yellow leaves?: Yes, if the plant does not get enough light, it cannot support all its leaves. Move it to a brighter spot with indirect light.

Guides to these causes

Dehydration

Why are my Banyan tree leaves turning yellow?