Check these first
- Check if the soil is soggy or waterlogged.
- Look for cold drafts near the plant location.
- Inspect the base of the stems for rot.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves turn yellow or mushy before falling off. The soil stays wet for a long time and might smell sour.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top two inches of soil dry out. If the soil is waterlogged, repot the plant into fresh, well draining soil and trim away any black, mushy roots.
Cold Drafts
PossibleHow to tell: The plant drops leaves suddenly after being placed near an air conditioner or a drafty window. The remaining leaves might look healthy but just fall off.
What to do: Move your plant to a warmer spot away from direct airflow. Keep the temperature between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Find out what's wrong with your peacock plant
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 occasionally as the plant grows. Worry if multiple healthy leaves fall off at once.
Stopping it coming back
Ensure your pot has good drainage and never let the plant sit in standing water.
Peacock plant: leaf drop? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your peacock plant 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
- Will my plant grow back where leaves fell off?
- The stems will not regrow leaves in the same spot. However, the plant will push out new growth from the base if it is healthy.
- Is leaf drop a sign of pests?
- Severe spider mite infestations can cause leaf drop. Check the undersides of the leaves for fine webbing.
More problems with Peacock plant
- Why are my Peacock plant's leaf tips turning brown?
- Why does my Peacock plant have spider mites?
- What are these spots on my Peacock plant's leaves?
- Why are my peacock plant's leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my peacock plant drooping?
- How do I fix root rot on my peacock plant?
- Why are my peacock plant leaves curling?
- Why is my peacock plant getting leggy?
Back to the Peacock plant guide
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.
