Pocket Botanist
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Check these first
- Check the drainage holes for blockages.
- Feel the soil to see if it is waterlogged.
- Inspect the undersides of leaves for pests.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves turn yellow and feel soft or mushy, and the soil stays wet for a long time.
What to do: Let the top inch of soil dry out before watering again. Ensure your pot has good drainage holes so excess water can escape.
Nutrient deficiency
PossibleHow to tell: Older leaves turn yellow while the veins remain green, suggesting a lack of fertilizer.
What to do: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength once a month during the growing season. Do not fertilize during the winter months.
Find out what's wrong with your hot lips
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
A single yellow leaf at the base is normal aging, but yellowing across the whole plant needs immediate attention.
Stopping it coming back
Use a well draining potting mix and avoid letting the plant sit in standing water.
Hot lips: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your hot lips 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 snip them off with clean scissors to help the plant focus its energy on healthy growth.
- Does tap water cause yellowing?
- Sometimes, if your water is very hard, it can cause mineral buildup. Try using filtered or rainwater if you notice persistent issues.
More problems with Hot lips
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.