Is your arrowhead plant looking a little lackluster? Yellow leaves on your beautiful plant don’t do much for its appearance, but don’t fret! You’re not alone. Many arrowhead plant owners have encountered this issue at some point in their gardening journey. So why exactly do these vibrant plants start to turn yellow, and more importantly, how can you fix it? Let’s find out!
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Why Does My Arrowhead Plant Have Yellow Leaves
It can be quite overwhelming to try to figure out exactly why your Arrowhead’s leaves are turning yellow, but fortunately, there are a few common reasons that it happens. Below are some of the most common reasons that your plant’s leaves might turn yellow, and how you can fix the problem so your plant can get back to producing beautiful green foliage.
1) Watering Issues
Proper watering is crucial for the health of your arrowhead plant. Overwatering or underwatering can both lead to yellow leaves. Arrowhead plants prefer slightly moist soil, but they don’t like to sit in either dry or waterlogged conditions.
Underwatering
Underwatering can be detrimental to your plant’s health, and one of the first signs of underwatering is yellowing, dry leaves. If you notice your arrowhead plant’s leaves turning yellow and feeling dry or crispy, it may need more water.
Check the moisture level of the soil by sticking your finger or a moisture meter into the soil – if it feels dry or reads as a low level of moisture, then it’s time to give your plant a drink. When a plant’s soil is really dry, it’s recommended to bottom-water the plant, allowing it to soak up as much water as it needs.
To do this, place your plant’s pot (with drainage holes) inside a bowl or sink filled with a few inches of water. Leave it there for about 30 minutes, checking the soil every 10 minutes or so. Once you feel wet soil closer to the roots, your plant has likely had enough to “drink” and can be taken out of the water to drain the excess moisture. Keep a close eye on your plant for a few days to determine if it needs another soak to recover from being under-watered.
Overwatering
Overwatering can be just as bad for your Arrowhead plant. One of the first signs of frequent overwatering is droopy, soft leaves. When the soil around a plant’s roots is constantly soggy, it does a couple of things. First, it leaves no room for air to get to the roots, starving them of the oxygen they need to bring up to the plant. Next, it creates the perfect environment for harmful bacteria to grow, which can further damage your beautiful plant.
To fix overwatering issues, you will want to repot your plant in new soil, and inspect the roots for signs of rot. If any rot is present, you’ll need to prune it off before potting it up in new soil. Lessen your watering schedule, and keep a close eye on your plant in the few weeks after repotting it. It will be more susceptible to root rot if you continue overwatering it after this!
2) Lack of Humidity
Another possible reason for yellowing leaves could be a lack of humidity in the air. Arrowhead plants are native to tropical regions where they thrive in high humidity environments. When grown indoors, however, the dry air can cause their leaves to lose moisture and turn yellow. A lack of humidity makes it difficult for the plants to retain adequate moisture through their leaves, leading to dehydration and stress, resulting in yellowing foliage.
To remedy this issue, try increasing the humidity around your arrowhead plant. You can do this by placing a humidifier near the plant or creating a humidity tray filled with water next to or underneath its pot. Just don’t let the pot sit in the water as this could lead to waterlogged soil. Grouping several houseplants together can also help create a microclimate of higher humidity.
3) Poor Light Conditions
As they are tropical, Arrowhead plants thrive in bright, indirect light, and if they are not receiving enough light, their leaves can turn yellow. If your arrowhead plant is placed in a dark corner or far away from a window, it may not be getting sufficient sunlight. Lack of natural light can hinder the plant’s ability to photosynthesize and produce energy, which can manifest as yellowing leaves.
To fix this issue, try moving your arrowhead plant to a brighter location with indirect sunlight. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight as this can scorch its delicate foliage. If you notice that the yellowing only occurs on one side of the plant, rotate it regularly to ensure all parts receive equal exposure to light.
In some cases, artificial lighting such as fluorescent lights or grow lights can also provide adequate illumination for Arrowhead plants. Consider supplementing natural light with these artificial sources if necessary.
4) Temperature Changes
One of the possible reasons why your arrowhead plant is developing yellow leaves is due to temperature changes. Sudden drops or increases in temperature can cause stress to the plant, leading to leaf discoloration, and it’s important to fix the issue before the plant gets too stressed.
During colder months, ensure that your Arrowhead plant is not exposed to drafts or cold air from windows or doors. This sudden change in temperature can shock the plant and result in yellowing leaves. Similarly, excessive heat can also have a negative impact on your arrowhead plant. Placing it near heating vents or radiators can dry out the foliage and cause it to turn yellow.
To prevent temperature-related leaf issues, try maintaining a consistent room temperature for your arrowhead plant. Avoid placing it near any extreme sources of heat or cold drafts. You could also use a thermometer near the plant to keep a closer eye on the temperature directly around your plant.
5) Nutrient Deficiencies
Nutrient deficiencies can be a common cause of yellow leaves in Arrowhead plants, as well. These tropical beauties require a well-balanced diet to thrive and maintain their lush green foliage, and when essential nutrients are lacking, the plant may show signs of distress. You’ll know it’s a nutrient deficiency if your plant just seems to look kind of dull and you’ve ruled out any other possible causes of the yellowing leaves.
To rectify nutrient deficiencies, fertilize your Arrowhead plant regularly. It’s suggested to use a plant food that is given with each watering to ensure your plant has a steady supply of nutrients at all times. Also, monitor the soil pH level as some nutrients may become less available if the pH is too high or low. Aim for between a 5.5-6.5 pH level.
6) Pest Infestations
A pest infestation is not something that any plant parent wants to see, and unfortunately, it’s one of the most common causes of yellowing leaves. These tiny intruders can wreak havoc on your plant, causing it to become weak and unhealthy.
Common pests that may attack your arrowhead plant include spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs. These insects feed on the sap of the leaves, which can lead to discoloration and wilting.
To identify if your plant has been invaded by pests, carefully examine the undersides of the leaves for webbing or small crawling insects. You may also notice sticky residue or tiny bite marks on the foliage.
If you discover an infestation, take immediate action to eradicate these pests. Start by isolating the affected plant to prevent further spread. Depending on the severity of the infestation, you can use organic insecticidal soap or neem oil spray as natural remedies.
7) Spent Leaves
Arrowhead plants shed older leaves as they grow and produce new ones. These spent leaves turn yellow or brown before falling off naturally. It’s similar to how trees lose their leaves in the fall. So if you notice only a few yellow leaves here and there, don’t fret! It’s just your arrowhead plant making room for fresh growth.
However, if you’re seeing an excessive amount of yellowing or browning leaves all at once, it could be a sign of other issues such as the ones mentioned above, so go through all of the possibilities before deciding that the yellowing leaves on your Arrowhead plant are just old, spent leaves.
Removing Yellow Leaves on Arrowhead Plants
To remove the yellowing leaves, you’ll need sharp, clean pruning shears and something to clean and sanitize the pruning shears. After you have your pruning shears, simply identify the problem areas and cut the leaves off from the point they connect to the stem. If the stem itself looks like it’s beginning to yellow, you may want to do some more extensive pruning.
Removing the yellowing leaves from your plant is important to help your plant recover faster from whatever is causing the leaves to discolor. The faster your plant can recover from the root cause, the faster it will begin to bounce back and produce new foliage.
Can Yellow Leaves Be Saved
Depending on the severity of the discoloration and the cause, it is actually possible to save yellowing leaves. A lack of sunlight that causes yellow leaves is easily fixed by giving the plant more natural or artificial light. A plant that is lacking nutrients may recover the green color in the leaves if the problem is addressed at the first sign of discoloration, but it’s not guaranteed.
Regardless of the cause, if the leaf is completely yellow, then it may not recover at all and will need to be pruned off. Unfortunately, these are the only causes in which the yellow leaf may turn green again. Diseased leaves, leaves affected by pests or any of the other causes typically create a permanent discoloration of the leaves.
While it’s not always possible to save every single yellow leaf on an arrowhead plant, addressing the underlying issues promptly and providing proper care will improve its overall health, prevent further leaf discoloration, and allow your Arrowhead plant to continue producing healthy, green leaves.
Preventing Yellow Leaves on my Arrowhead Plant?
Now, it’s time to take preventive measures to ensure your plant stays healthy and vibrant. Here are a few tips to help you keep those leaves green:
- Watering: Be mindful of your watering routine and avoid overwatering or underwatering your arrowhead plant. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
- Humidity: Increase humidity around your plant by misting its leaves regularly or placing a tray of water nearby. Consider using a humidifier if the air in your home is particularly dry.
- Light conditions: Ensure that your arrowhead plant receives adequate indirect sunlight throughout the day, but avoid exposing it to direct sunlight which can scorch its delicate foliage.
- Temperature: Keep your arrowhead plant in an environment with consistent temperatures between 60-75°F. Avoid placing it near drafty windows or vents that can cause temperature fluctuations.
- Nutrient deficiencies: Provide regular fertilization to supply essential nutrients for healthy growth. Use a balanced plant food according to package instructions during the growing season.
- Pest prevention: Regularly inspect your Arrowhead plant for any signs of pests such as spider mites, mealybugs, or aphids. If detected, treat them promptly with appropriate organic insecticides or natural remedies.
Remember that each individual case may vary depending on factors like climate conditions and overall care routine specific to each grower’s situation. So stay observant towards any changes in leaf coloration so that early intervention could be made! Happy gardening!
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