Why Dieffenbachia Leaves Yellow and What to Do About It

Having trouble with yellowing leaves on your dieffenbachia (dumb cane)? There are several reasons for yellowing leaves. This video will help you diagnosis and solve the problem.

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Video Transcript

Welcome to HealthyHousePlants.com, where we teach you all about gardening indoors! If you’d like to support my show and get help growing your houseplants, check out my Patreon below. This is a Dieffenbachia, commonly named dumb cane, and today I’m going to talk about why Dieffenbachias get yellow leaves because that can be a problem for some people growing Dieffenbachia. I do get that question sometimes, so I’m doing a video about it.

Dieffenbachia yellow leaves can occur for several reasons, and you will see one here in front of you. Otherwise, this plant is looking pretty good, but it does have one yellow leaf right now. These are the top reasons why you’re going to get some yellowing leaves on your Dieffenbachia, so you can decide if any of these reasons apply to your plant and then do something about it.

First, underwatering is often the problem that causes yellowing leaves on Dieffenbachia. That is one possibility, so do some troubleshooting to find out if the soil is too dry. I do have a video on Dieffenbachia care, so I will link that below, as well as any other videos I mention in this video. It probably just means you’ve been letting the plant go too dry too often, and if you rectify that, then the plant will be fine.

Other problems can include lighting issues, such as not enough lighting or too much lighting. That’s another consideration to keep in mind. Do you have the correct lighting for your Dieffenbachia? Extreme temperatures are another reason for Dieffenbachia to get yellowing leaves. This means the plant could be getting too cold or too warm, especially too cold. This plant, like many houseplants, comes from a warm climate, so it does not do well when it gets too cold. That’s another consideration—look at the temperature in your house.

You can use a hygrometer, which measures the temperature as well as the humidity. Low humidity is another reason why Dieffenbachia can get yellowing leaves and start to drop those leaves, so that’s another possibility. Nutritional deficiencies are another possible cause, such as not enough nitrogen or other micronutrients. If you haven’t fertilized your Dieffenbachia in a while or rarely fertilize it and all these other reasons don’t apply, it could very well be that the plant needs some nutrients.

Pests, such as mealybugs and scale insects, can also cause yellowing of leaves. These pests suck the chlorophyll out of the leaf, causing it to yellow. The final reason is that the leaves are aging. If you only have a few yellow leaves every once in a while, that could be the case. However, if you have a lot of yellowing going on, you’ve likely got one of the other problems I just mentioned. If it’s occasional, the leaves may simply be maturing and aging out. That’s likely what’s happening with this one, given that the rest of the plant is doing really well.

I’m going to remove the yellow leaf now that I’m finishing this video so that it’s not there anymore. You want to snip it out, making sure not to cut the main stem, or you can pinch it out carefully. Remember that Dieffenbachia does have a sap that can be irritating, so if you do pinch it out with your fingers, be sure to wash your hands well. It’s better to use gloves and snip it out, then discard it.

So, there you go! Those are the top reasons why Dieffenbachias get yellow leaves. As I mentioned, if you’d like to learn how to grow your Dieffenbachia so that it’s happy and healthy in your indoor garden, please check out my video on how to grow them. Thank you for stopping by today! Please leave any comments about any indoor gardening tutorials you’d like to see. Remember to like, comment, subscribe, and share this video, and please check the bell if you’d like to be notified when new videos are released.

FAQ's Dumb Cane Leaves Yellow 101

Frequently Asked Questions about Dieffenbachia Yellow Leaves

Why does my Dieffenbachia have yellow leaves?

Dieffenbachia can develop yellow leaves for several reasons, including underwatering, lighting issues, extreme temperatures, low humidity, nutritional deficiencies, pests, and natural aging of the leaves.

How can I tell if my Dieffenbachia is underwatered?

If the soil is too dry and your Dieffenbachia has yellow leaves, it may be underwatered. Ensure the plant is getting enough water without overwatering it.

Can lighting issues cause yellow leaves on Dieffenbachia?

Yes, both insufficient and excessive lighting can cause yellow leaves on Dieffenbachia. Ensure your plant is getting the right amount of light.

How do extreme temperatures affect Dieffenbachia?

Dieffenbachia prefers warm conditions. If the plant is exposed to extreme temperatures, particularly cold, it can develop yellow leaves.

What role does humidity play in the health of Dieffenbachia leaves?

Low humidity can cause Dieffenbachia leaves to yellow and drop. Use a hygrometer to monitor humidity levels and keep the environment suitably humid for the plant.

Can nutritional deficiencies cause yellow leaves on Dieffenbachia?

Yes, a lack of essential nutrients, such as nitrogen, can cause yellow leaves on Dieffenbachia. Consider fertilizing your plant if it hasn’t been done recently.

What pests should I watch out for on my Dieffenbachia?

Pests like mealybugs and scale insects can cause yellowing by sucking the chlorophyll out of the leaves. Inspect your plant regularly for these pests.

Is it normal for Dieffenbachia leaves to turn yellow as they age?

Yes, it’s normal for older leaves to yellow and fall off as they age. If only a few leaves are yellowing occasionally, it may just be the natural aging process.