Why are my orchid leaves turning yellow?

Anyone who has ever tried caring for orchids will know that there's one issue that pops up all the time: yellowing leaves. At first sight, it can be easy to start to worry about what's wrong with your plant, but not every yellow leaf is a cause for concern with orchid plants. There are actually times when yellowing leaves are okay! Then, there are times when the yellowing needs to be addressed. The tricky part is knowing when it's normal and when it's not.

Why Are My Orchid Leaves Turning Yellow?

Orchids have a natural beauty about them, which is why they're such a popular houseplant. But occasionally, their leaves can yellow because they're so peculiar about their care. While yellowing leaves indicate a problem on most plants, that's sometimes the case with orchids. Yellow leaves on an orchid plant is sometimes due to a problem, but other times it can be completely normal. You just have to know the signs to be able to tell the difference.

When Yellow Leaves Are Normal

Every now an then, orchid leaves will start to yellow as part of a natural process. Orchids will start to shed their leaves as they grow, but this usually happens at the base of the plant with only one leaf at a time. When this happens, the oldest leaves will start to turn yellow before they drop off. This type of yellowing is completely normal. Since it only happens to the oldest leaves and affects one leaf at a time, this is not an issue as long as the rest of your plant looks healthy and lush.

Common Causes Of Yellow Orchid Leaves

There are other times, though, when yellowing leaves should be a concern. If more than one leaf is turning yellow and falling off, especially if its newer leaves, then it's worth trying to find the underlying cause and fixing your plant asap.

Here are the common causes of yellowing orchid leaves outside of their normal leaf shedding:

• Overwatering: Orchids are not plants that like to be watered heavily. If the soil is mushy or has a lot of water, it can quickly lead to root rot and cause the leaves to turn yellow.
• Underwatering: Not giving your orchid enough water is also a common cause of yellowing leaves since the plant is dehydrated. You'll be able to know if this is the cause by seeing if your plant looks dry overall.
• Direct sunlight: Orchids need indirect sunlight to avoid the sun burning their leaves. If you place your orchid in a spot where it gets direct sunlight, too much can cause your leaves to turn yellow and crisp.
• Temperature: Changes in the temperatures can cause stress that orchids don't react well to. Drafts from windows, air conditioning vents, or changes in the temperature can lead to yellow leaves.
• Bad drainage: Because orchids don't like sitting in too much water, having a pot that doesn't drain well can also cause the leaves to yellow.

How To Fix Yellow Orchid Leaves

The good news is that once you find the cause of your leaves turning yellow, the problem is easy to fix. Here are a few ways you can correct yellowing orchid leaves after identifying the cause:

• Change your watering routine by making sure the soil isn't consistently damp. Let the soil dry out slightly in between watering sessions.
• If your plant has root rot, remove it from the planter and repot.
• Make sure your orchid is sitting in an area where it receives plenty of indirect sunlight and no temperature changes.
• Fix waterlogged soil by adding in fresh orchid bark to improve airflow.
• Fertilize on a irregular schedule to avoid overfeeding it.

Warning

It's important to know that once you've addressed the cause, leaves that have already turned yellow will not turn green. This is normal. As long as the issue has been corrected, new growth should start to happen and indicate that your plant is healthy.

Tips For Preventing Yellowing Orchid Leaves

Knowing how to properly care for your orchid is key to preventing their leaves from turning yellow. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you care for your plant to ensure you see a happy, healthy, and green plant everyday:

• Water only when the soil begins to dry out.
• Never place an orchid in direct sunlight.
• Make sure the soil is well-draining.
• Keep your orchid in a stable environment without temperature changes.
• Monitor the plant regularly to check for signs of stress.

Read the original article on Southern Living