What To Do If My Pothos Is Turning Yellow

If your pothos is turning yellow, the first step is to figure out why.
 
A yellowing pothos usually means something is off with its care routine.
 
But don’t worry—this is one of the most common houseplant problems and it’s almost always fixable.
 
Whether your pothos is turning yellow from too much water, not enough light, or something else, I’ll walk you through exactly what to do.
 
In this post, we’ll cover all the reasons your pothos might be turning yellow and the simple steps to bring it back to health.
 
Let’s save your pothos together.
 

Why Is My Pothos Turning Yellow?

The first thing to know is that a pothos turning yellow can have several causes.
 
Each cause has a different fix, so let’s break them down one by one.
 

1. Overwatering Is the Most Common Reason Your Pothos Is Turning Yellow

When you water your pothos too often, the roots sit in soggy soil.
 
This prevents oxygen from reaching the roots and can lead to root rot.
 
If your pothos is turning yellow and the soil feels wet, overwatering is likely the culprit.
 
Check if the leaves are also soft or mushy—that’s a classic sign.
 
Let the soil dry out completely before watering again.
 

2. Underwatering Can Also Cause a Pothos to Turn Yellow

A pothos turning yellow doesn’t always mean too much water.
 
Sometimes it’s the opposite: the plant is thirsty.
 
If the soil is bone dry and the leaves are crispy or drooping, your pothos needs a drink.
 
Give it a thorough soak until water runs out the drainage holes.
 
Then establish a consistent watering schedule.
 

3. Light Problems Make a Pothos Turn Yellow Too

Pothos plants love bright, indirect light.
 
If your pothos is turning yellow in direct sun, the leaves are getting scorched.
 
Move it to a spot with filtered light.
 
On the other hand, if the pothos is in a dark corner, it may lose its green color.
 
A pothos turning yellow from low light will also look leggy.
 
Find a balance—medium to bright indirect light works best.
 

4. Nutrient Deficiency Can Turn Your Pothos Yellow

Pothos plants need fertilizer to stay green and vibrant.
 
If your pothos is turning yellow and hasn’t been fed in months, it may lack nitrogen or iron.
 
Use a balanced houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength every 4–6 weeks during the growing season.
 
Don’t overdo it—too much fertilizer can burn the roots and also cause yellowing.
 

5. Temperature Stress and Drafts

Pothos prefer temperatures between 60°F and 80°F.
 
If your pothos is turning yellow near a drafty window or an air conditioner, it’s stressed.
 
Cold drafts can shock the leaves, causing rapid yellowing.
 
Move your plant to a spot with stable room temperature.
 

What to Do If Your Pothos Is Turning Yellow: Step-by-Step Fixes

Now that you know the possible causes, here’s exactly what to do when you spot a pothos turning yellow.
 

Step 1: Check the Soil Moisture

Stick your finger about an inch into the soil.
 
If it feels wet, hold off on watering.
 
If it’s dry, water your pothos thoroughly.
 
A moisture meter can help if you’re not sure.
 

Step 2: Inspect the Roots

If the soil is wet and the leaves keep yellowing, gently remove the pothos from its pot.
 
Healthy roots are white or light tan.
 
If you see brown, mushy roots, that’s root rot.
 
Trim away the rotten roots and repot the pothos in fresh, well-draining soil.
 

Step 3: Prune Yellow Leaves

Once you’ve addressed the cause, snip off the yellow leaves.
 
They won’t turn green again, and removing them helps the plant focus energy on new growth.
 
Use clean scissors to avoid introducing disease.
 

Step 4: Adjust Light and Location

Move your pothos to a spot with bright, indirect light.
 
Avoid direct afternoon sun.
 
If natural light is low, consider a grow light for a few hours a day.
 

Step 5: Fertilize if Needed

If your pothos is turning yellow and hasn’t been fed, give it a mild fertilizer.
 
Follow the instructions on the label—less is more.
 
A liquid balanced fertilizer works well for pothos.
 

How to Prevent Your Pothos from Turning Yellow in the Future

The best remedy is preventing the problem before it starts.
 

1. Water Only When the Top Inch Is Dry

Stick to a watering routine based on the soil, not the calendar.
 
Pothos prefer to dry out slightly between waterings.
 
Use pots with drainage holes to avoid standing water.
 

2. Provide Consistent, Indirect Light

Keep your pothos in a spot that gets plenty of light but not direct sun.
 
Rotate the pot occasionally so all sides get light.
 

3. Fertilize Sparingly During Growing Season

Feed your pothos every 4–6 weeks in spring and summer.
 
Skip fertilizer in fall and winter when growth slows.
 

4. Check for Pests Regularly

Pests like spider mites or mealybugs can cause yellowing.
 
Wipe leaves with a damp cloth and treat infestations early with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
 

So, What to Do If My Pothos Is Turning Yellow?

If your pothos is turning yellow, the first step is to identify the cause by checking soil moisture, light, roots, and nutrients.
 
Then fix the issue—whether it’s overwatering, underwatering, poor light, or a nutrient deficiency.
 
With a little attention, your pothos can bounce back and stay green and healthy.
 
Don’t give up on your plant—most yellowing pothos recover quickly once you make the right changes.
 
Now you know exactly what to do if your pothos is turning yellow.