yellow leaves on Fatsia Japonica
Quick answer
If your Fatsia Japonica has yellow leaves, the most likely cause is: Yellowing foliage on a fatsia japonica is most often a watering problem. Underwatering leaves the compost hard and dry and the plant unable to take up nutrients, which shows up first as yellowing leaves, while chronic overwatering suffocates the roots and produces the same symptom because the damaged roots can no longer supply water. A small number of yellowing lower leaves can also be normal ageing, but widespread yellowing indicates a cultivation fault.
Start here:
- 1. Check the compost with the touch test: press a finger gently into the surface and lift the pot to judge weight — if it is dry and lightweight, water thoroughly until surplus drains from the base; if it is soggy or heavy, withhold water and let it dry out.
- 2. If overwatering is suspected, tip out any standing water from the saucer or cache-pot and improve drainage by repotting into fresh, loam-based compost with a layer of pebbles or marbles keeping the pot base clear of the water.
Why Fatsia Japonica gets yellow leaves
fatsia japonica
Yellowing foliage on a fatsia japonica is most often a watering problem. Underwatering leaves the compost hard and dry and the plant unable to take up nutrients, which shows up first as yellowing leaves, while chronic overwatering suffocates the roots and produces the same symptom because the damaged roots can no longer supply water. A small number of yellowing lower leaves can also be normal ageing, but widespread yellowing indicates a cultivation fault.
How to reverse yellow leaves on Fatsia Japonica
- 1
Check the compost with the touch test: press a finger gently into the surface and lift the pot to judge weight — if it is dry and lightweight, water thoroughly until surplus drains from the base; if it is soggy or heavy, withhold water and let it dry out.
- 2
If overwatering is suspected, tip out any standing water from the saucer or cache-pot and improve drainage by repotting into fresh, loam-based compost with a layer of pebbles or marbles keeping the pot base clear of the water.
- 3
Once normal watering resumes, begin a half-strength liquid feed every fortnight in spring and summer because yellowing leaves can also indicate that the plant needs feeding.
Keep yellow leaves off this Fatsia Japonica
Examine each pot daily, water only when the surface of the compost begins to feel dry, never leave the pot standing in water for long, and feed monthly in the growing season so the plant has the nutrients it needs to keep its large, glossy leaves green.