Have you noticed the leaves on your spider plants turning yellow? Is your plant otherwise healthy? Even though spider plants are one of the most durable house plants, there can still be problems that arise with them. A common issue that can be seen is yellow leaves, but what causes this condition? Well, having a healthy spider plant is important so that the spiderettes are healthy, so let’s find the root of the problem and discuss ways to get the leaves back to their vibrant green color.
Issues in the Plant’s Environment
Excess minerals or fertilizer in the water or the soil can cause the leaves to be discolored. To ensure that this is not the reason your spider plant has yellow leaves, use rain or mineral water on your plants. In addition, fertilizing your plants every 30 days can leave salt residue behind that can be hazardous to the plant. Change the soil about once a year to make sure that this is not an issue.
Too much direct sunlight is bad for spider plants and can cause burning to occur on the surface of the leaves, but too little light will make the leaves turn yellow. This is because the leaves are not getting the chlorophyll that they need to be a vibrant green coloration. If you have recently relocated your plant to an outdoor area or an area with different lighting, it may be in a state of shock. With time, the plant leaves should return back to their normal state.
Your Plant has a Disease
Plants can suffer from nutritional deficiencies just like people can, so make sure to change the soil regularly and keep it fertilized and healthy. If you are already caring for the plant like this, then another issue may be the underlying cause of the yellow leaves. If the flower pot that the spider plant is planted in is not a free draining plant, then check the roots for root rot. Spider plant roots hold water, so to avoid over watering, let the top ½ inch of soil dry out before you water it again. If you see root rot as an issue, remove the plant from its pot and thoroughly clean the pot, rinse the roots, and refresh the soil.
Pest Problems
If you take your spider plants outside during the warm months of summer, then the chances of a pest problem are much higher than it is for spider plants that remain indoors. There are a lot of insects in nature that essentially suck the sap out of plants. Aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies, and mites are among the insects that can cause the most damage. If you suspect that your spider plants have pest problems, then it is important that you attempt to get rid of them. Wash down the leaves with horticulture soap and make sure to rinse the plant leaves well to get rid of all of the bugs. Then, place the plant in a well circulated area to dry the leaves and ensure that the pests are gone.
Yellow leaves on a Spider plant can be a sign that your plant is sick, so take the steps listed above to ensure that the yellow leaves will not cause further damage to the plant or future generations of this spider family.
