Pocket Botanist
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Check these first
- Check the soil moisture with your finger.
- Smell the soil to see if it smells sour or rotten.
- Consider the type of water you are using.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves turn yellow and the soil feels constantly wet or swampy. The roots may start to smell bad.
What to do: Let the top inch of soil dry out completely before watering again. Ensure your pot has drainage holes so excess water can escape.
Water Quality
PossibleHow to tell: The tips and edges turn yellow or brown while the rest of the leaf looks pale. This happens if you use tap water with high chlorine or fluoride.
What to do: Switch to filtered, distilled, or rainwater for your bamboo. Let tap water sit out for 24 hours before using it to allow the chlorine to evaporate.
Find out what's wrong with your grass family
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 leaves at the bottom to yellow and drop as the plant grows. Worry only if the yellowing is happening on new leaves or across the whole plant.
Stopping it coming back
Use consistent, filtered water and ensure the plant is never sitting in standing water. Check the soil before every watering.
Grass family: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your grass family 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 the yellow leaves turn green again?
- No, once a leaf has turned yellow, it will not turn green again. It is best to prune it off so the plant can focus energy on new growth.
- How often should I water my bamboo?
- Water every 2 to 5 days, but always check the top inch of soil first. If it is still damp, wait another day.
More problems with Grass family
Back to the Grass family 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.