Help! Pothos looks like it's dying

8 years ago

Hi all,

We've had this hanging pothos for over a year now. It's grown healthily and steadily since then, but over the last few weeks, several leaves have turned yellow and have subsequently fallen off the plant. We have not changed its environment, soil or watering schedule since buying the plant over a year ago. We water it once every 2-3 weeks. What we have noticed is that there are strange spots forming on healthy leaves shortly before they turn yellow. I've attached a few photographs for reference.

Other possibly relevant info:

We've discovered mealybugs on this plant not too long ago. We've fended them off using this pesticide. We first used the spray about 2 months ago, and we've only used it twice since purchasing the spray. Any residue from the spray was rinsed off when watering the plant.
Just to emphasize: we haven't changed anything with the plant (soil, environment, watering schedule).

My girlfriend fears that the plant may have a disease, but we obviously wouldn't be able to confirm that on our own. Can someone identify the issue or suggest some possible solutions? Please help us, GardenWeb!

Thanks in advance.

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Comments (5)

jpciii
8 years ago
If the older leaves are the ones that are falling off, then that's normal. Overall, it looks like a happy plant.

However, it may be the case that you are not watering enough. (usually, too much water is the problem)... It's in one of those fibrous basket things, so the soil will dry quicker than in a pot. Assuming you are in the northern hemisphere, your plant is in grow-mode right now which means it wants more water. And there is a lot of vegetation for the "pot" size. I would think you need to water more often than every 2-3 weeks. But instead of watering on a time-schedule, water when the soil is getting dry. Probe the soil with your finger or a chop stick or something.

Are you taking the plant outside (or to the bathtub) and giving it LOTS of water until it drains out the bottom? Then, hanging it back up? Because, that is what I would do.
G R thanked jpciii
G R
Original Author
8 years ago
We last watered it on Sunday and the soil is still fairly moist. I came home today to discover more yellow leaves (photo below) and my depressed girlfriend. We take the plant to the bathtub to be watered and give it lots of water, then allow it to hang for a bit in the bathtub to drain. We're really not sure what's causing the issue but we're worried that the plant will die. Any other ideas? :<
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zzackey
8 years ago
Spider mites? Please check the under side of the leaves for tiny webs. You would need a magnifying glass to see them. Have you fertilized lately?
G R thanked zzackey
realcocacola78
8 years ago
If it were diseased, it would affect all parts of the plant equally, so that's not it ... Leaves could have gotten bumped and damaged accidentally when it was being moved for it's "bath" ... If it was an issue with root health, it would start with the leaves closest to the soil ... I'm guessing it's either overly rootbound and the roots are having trouble feeding that much vegetation, or it has just depleted the soil nutrients and needs to be fertilized a bit
G R thanked realcocacola78
Kim
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Yellow leaves are tough to diagnose, but it doesn't look like a plant virus or fungal kind of disease to me. Like already suggested, check the roots but I would suspect fertilizer is the issue. One of the many things that can make a plants leaves turn yellow is a lack of nitrogen. My plants get a foliar spray once a week or so depending on the plant of a kelp extract based stuff called Tappin' roots. Depending on the plant, I give it I'm a mister bottle at 1/4 to 1/2 the strength. I do not know offhand the pothos preference, 1/4 would probably be fine. My crew really seems to do well with the stuff, and a bottle lasts forever. Hope this helps!
G R thanked Kim

Help! Pothos looks like it's dying

Comments (5)

jpciii

G R
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Help! Pothos looks like it's dying

Comments (5)

jpciii

G ROriginal Author

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zzackey

realcocacola78

Kim

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G R
Original Author