Check these first
- Check the soil moisture with your finger.
- Ensure the pot has adequate drainage holes.
- Look for spots on the yellowing leaves.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves turn yellow and may feel soft or mushy. The soil stays wet for a long time and the plant may look wilted despite the damp soil.
What to do: Allow the top inch of soil to dry out completely before watering again. Ensure your pot has drainage holes so excess water can escape.
Leaf spot
PossibleHow to tell: This is less common for this plant, but it usually happens during high humidity. You will see yellow halos around dark fungal spots on the foliage.
What to do: Remove the infected leaves and improve air circulation around the plant. Avoid overhead watering to keep the foliage dry.
Find out what's wrong with your kohuhu
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 few yellow leaves at the bottom of the plant is normal as it ages. If many leaves are yellowing rapidly, it is a sign of a watering issue that needs immediate attention.
Stopping it coming back
Water only when the top inch of soil has dried out, rather than on a strict schedule, and ensure the plant has plenty of airflow.
Kohuhu: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your kohuhu 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
- Does this plant flower?
- Yes, it produces small, dark purple flowers in late spring. It needs full sun and a stable environment to bloom well.
- How do I know if I am watering enough?
- Check the top inch of soil every week. If it is dry, give it a deep soak until water runs out the bottom of the pot.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Kohuhu
- Why are there bumps on my Kohuhu leaves?
- What are these spots on my Kohuhu leaves?
- Why is my Pittosporum tenuifolium looking so leggy?
- Why are my Kohuhu leaves curling up?
- Why is my Kohuhu losing its leaves?
- Why are my Pittosporum tenuifolium leaf tips turning brown?
- Why is my Pittosporum tenuifolium drooping?
- How do I know if my Pittosporum has root rot?
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.

