Should I cut off yellow leaves?

Yes, you can trim them off with clean scissors to keep the plant looking tidy. This also helps the plant focus energy on healthy growth.

Can too much sun cause yellowing?

Yes, if the plant is in intense direct sun, the leaves may bleach or turn yellow. Move it to a spot with partial shade.

Kidneyleaf buttercup: yellow leaves, causes and fixes

Check these first

Touch the soil to see if it is waterlogged.
Inspect the drainage holes for blockages.
Check if the plant has been sitting in a saucer of water.

Likely causes

Overwatering
Most likely
How to tell: The leaves feel soft or mushy and the soil stays soggy for days.
What to do: Let the top inch of soil dry out before watering again. Ensure your pot has drainage holes so extra water can escape.
Nutrient deficiency
Possible
How to tell: The leaves turn pale yellow while the veins remain green.
What to do: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength once a month during the growing season. Do not overfeed as this can burn the roots.

Yellow leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your kidneyleaf buttercup

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

Worry if the yellowing spreads rapidly across the whole plant. A single lower leaf turning yellow is often just the plant aging.

Stopping it coming back

Maintain a consistent watering schedule and avoid letting the plant sit in standing water.

Kidneyleaf buttercup: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your kidneyleaf buttercup 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 trim them off with clean scissors to keep the plant looking tidy. This also helps the plant focus energy on healthy growth.
Can too much sun cause yellowing?: Yes, if the plant is in intense direct sun, the leaves may bleach or turn yellow. Move it to a spot with partial shade.

Why are my kidneyleaf buttercup leaves turning yellow?