Recovering a pothos plant can seem like an impossible task when it looks like it's in really bad shape. But don't let yourself get discouraged, because this is a very resistant plant and can handle almost anything.
If your specimen has yellow and brown leaves and a weakened appearance, the first thing you need to do is know what is happening to it so you can give it the care it needs at this time.
One of the best indoor plants
The pothos is present in many homes and workplaces, and it is one of the most popular indoor plants. And it is, precisely, because it has many good qualities:
- Easy to care It is not at all demanding in terms of care, if you pay it a little attention it can become a lush and beautiful specimen.
- fast growth It grows very quickly and fills all types of spaces with life.
- Purify the air. It is very effective in removing toxins from indoor air, such as benzene and formaldehyde.
- Versatile. It adapts to different environments and decorative styles. In addition, we can grow it as a hanging plant, a creeping plant or give it a support so that it can grow around it.
- Resistance. Without a doubt, it is one of the most resistant plants to pests and diseases.
What happens to a pothos that has yellow and brown leaves?
Before we get down to work to recover a pothos, we have to know exactly what is happening to it. If in your case what you notice is that there is a change in the color of the leaves, this is synonymous with something not going well in the environment to which it is exposed or in the care it receives.
Irrigation problems
Improper watering can cause leaves to discolor, turning yellow and then brown, if they don't fall off first.
This happens both when we overwatered like when we expose our butt to water stress caused by lack of irrigation.
But it may also happen that the frequency and amount of irrigation are not adequate. In this case the fault may be in the poor water quality, which may be rich in chlorine or mineral salts.
Lack of nutrients
The pothos can withstand almost anything and adapts easily to all types of environments and substrates, but that does not mean that it does not need a minimum of care.
If the leaves are yellow and brown it may be because the plant is not receiving the essential nutrients it needs to develop, such as nitrogen and iron.
Exposure to low temperatures
We are so used to seeing it inside houses that we have forgotten that we are facing a plant of tropical origin that does not tolerate cold or cold drafts well.
It tolerates low temperatures, but up to a limit. If we leave it exposed to too much cold, it is normal for the leaves to start turning yellow, and they may even fall off prematurely.
Sunburn
Just because this is a tropical plant does not mean we have to have it exposed to the sun all day, as this can be counterproductive.
If you leave it in a place where it receives many hours of direct sunlight, Especially during the middle of the day, you will most likely start to see some brown spots that are the result of the sunburn you have suffered.
Diseases and pests
If the environment and care are good, the origin of the problem may be insects. Some, like the red spider or cochineal They feed on the sap and weaken the plant, causing the leaves to turn yellow.
If the leaves go directly from green to brown, this may be a sign that there is a fungal disease.
Natural aging
Sometimes leaves turn "ugly" simply because they have completed their life cycle and are ready to fall.
How to recover a pothos that has yellow and brown leaves
Now that we know the causes of the problem, we can begin to apply solutions.
Irrigation problems
Si you have watered a lot, let the substrate dries completely before watering again and try to water less and less frequently in the future.
If the problem has been drought, increase the frequency of watering a little, but Don't try to fix it by flooding the substrate now., because this could be counterproductive.
If poor water quality is the cause of your leaf discoloration, try one of these two things:
- Let the tap water sit for 24 hours before watering with it to allow the chlorine to evaporate.
- Water with bottled water to reduce the mineral salt load that the pothos receives.
Lack of nutrients
In this case Consider changing the substrate to one of higher quality, or enrich what you already have with compost or worm castings.
Another quick and easy solution is to use a liquid fertilizer specific for indoor plants or green plants. As with water, do not overdo the dosage, always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Exposure to low temperatures / sunburn
Place the pot in a warm and protected place from air currents. Make sure that the pothos receives several hours of sunlight each day, but try to make sure that it receives it filtered through a curtain.
Plagues and diseases
Apply a organic or industrial product for pest treatment as soon as you become aware that there are insects in your pot.
If the problem is a fungus, look for a fungicide that is as specific as possible.
Natural aging
In this case, there is not much you can do. You can wait for the older leaves to fall off naturally or remove them by hand, it's up to you.
Recovering a butt is a simple task if you know what's wrong with it. Do you want to give yours a second chance to make it beautiful and healthy again?