• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
keep your plants alive
  • Plant Care 101
    • Printable Plant Care Guides
    • By Plant Type
    • Glossary of Plant Terminology
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
  • Blog
  • Subscribe!
  • Shop
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Plant Care 101
    • Printable Plant Care Guides
    • By Plant Type
    • Glossary of Plant Terminology
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
  • Blog
  • Subscribe!
  • Shop
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Plant Care 101
    • Printable Plant Care Guides
    • By Plant Type
    • Glossary of Plant Terminology
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
  • Blog
  • Subscribe!
  • Shop
×
Home » Latest Blog Posts » Plants by type » Umbrella Plant

Why is my umbrella plant getting yellow leaves?

Published: Mar 10, 2023 · Modified: Oct 8, 2023 by Morgan · This post may contain affiliate links ·

Is your umbrella plant getting yellow leaves? Here are the top causes and how to fix them!

Umbrella plants are beautiful, easy care houseplants.

But, just because they are easy to care for doesn't mean something can go wrong.

Amongst all of the top umbrella plant problems, yellow leaves are one of the most common.

Here's what causes yellow leaves on umbrella plants and how to fix them!

why is my umbrella plant getting yellow leaves

Want more umbrella plant content?

  • Umbrella plant care guide
  • How to propagate an umbrella plant
  • Why is my umbrella plant dying?!
  • Are umbrella plants toxic?
  • When to repot an umbrella plant
  • Can an umbrella plant live outdoors?
  • Why is my umbrella plant dropping leaves?
  • Why is my umbrella tree turning black?
  • Why is my umbrella plant getting yellow leaves?
  • Why are my umbrella plant leaves turning brown?
  • Why does my umbrella plant have sticky leaves?
  • Why is my umbrella plant wilting?!
  • How to train your umbrella plant to grow in a specific direction

Printable Umbrella Plant care guide

Join the (free!) KeepYourPlantsAlive+ community to access this exclusive printable plant care guide! Once you sign up, you can right click & save the JPG care guide. Or keep scrolling for more!

Umbrella Plant plant care guide

Why is my umbrella plant getting yellow leaves?

Umbrella plant leaves should be dark green and perky. If the leaves start turning yellow or brown, getting soggy or mushy or crispy, or falling off, there is a problem.

Will yellow leaves turn green again?

No, yellow plant leaves will not turn green again. Once the chlorophyll is gone, it doesn't come back. You are better off removing the dead leaves and focusing on new growth.

Here are some of the top problems with umbrella plants:

  • Overwatering
  • Underwatering
  • Temperature problems
  • Over fertilizing
  • Lighting problems
  • Potting issues

Yellow leaves mean that your leaf is losing chlorophyll, and will die. This could happen to very old leaves, but if it is happening to many leaves suddenly, your plant is in distress.

Here are the top causes and what to do about each one.

Watering issues

Watering can cause problems for your umbrella plant whether you are overwatering or under watering.

If the leaves appear withered and drooping, it is under watered.

If the leaves appear sagging and mushy, the plant is over watered.

Yellow leaves are usually, in my experienced, over watered!

How often do you water an umbrella plant?

Water your umbrella tree when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch.

Be sure that your pot has drainage holes to prevent water from pooling, which can lead to root rot and leaf drop and usually mushy, dark brown or black leaves.

If your leaves are just starting to turn yellow, its most likely not rotten yet. This is your warning sign to act quickly to save it!

How can you tell if an umbrella plant is overwatered?

Overwatered stems will look limp and mushy. Pull the plant out of the soil and examine the roots - if they are turning black and mushy, the plant is severely over watered and has root rot.

Should I mist my umbrella plant?

These plants don't need to be misted, but they will tolerate it.

umbrella plant leaves

Temperature problems

Big changes in temperature can also cause houseplants to go into shock and drop leaves. These leaves could turn yellow before falling off.

Keep them away from drafts and always keep indoors in the winter to help prevent temperature shock from happening.

Over fertilization

Applying too much fertilizer can shock your plant, which can sometimes lead to leaves turning yellow and falling off.

Lighting problems

If your umbrella tree gets too much direct sun, it could get sun burned and get brown leaves. This is more likely to be spots on each leaf rather than entire brown leaves.

If your umbrella plant is not getting enough light, it could get some yellow leaves. This is the plant not having enough energy to keep all the leaves alive and choosing some to sacrifice for the good of the others.

Does an umbrella plant like sun or shade?

These plants do best in partial shade or indirect light. Direct sun will burn the leaves.

How much sunlight does an umbrella plant need?

Umbrella plants do best with at least 6-8 hours of bright, indirect light.

new growth on an umbrella plant

Potting issues

If your plant has outgrown it's pot, it might start dropping leaves to conserve energy.

Do umbrella plants like to be root bound?

Umbrella plants will slow or stop growing when they become root bound. Eventually, it could even kill them. It's much better to repot when needed.

Should I repot my umbrella plant?

In general you should re-pot once every year or two. Try to stick to repotting in the growing season - spring or summer.

Your plant might not need a larger pot, but could benefit from new nutrients in fresh soil. Gently pull it from the pot, knock off as much old soil as possible, and repot with fresh potting mix.

Any more questions about your umbrella plant?

Thanks for reading!

About Me Plant picture
Morgan mcbride headshot
Morgan

Hey there, I'm Morgan, a houseplant enthusiast from sunny Charleston, South Carolina. Growing up surrounded by my mom's lush orchids and African violets, I discovered the magic of bringing nature indoors. Thanks to the pandemic, I delved deeper into houseplants, discovering their power to uplift moods and transform spaces. I'm here to spill all my secrets, helping you pick the perfect houseplant - and make it happy. Let's keep your plants alive, together! 😊

More Umbrella Plant

  • umbrella plant vs umbrella tree what are the differences
    What's the difference between an umbrella plant vs umbrella tree?
  • what to do with a leggy umbrella plant
    What to do with a leggy umbrella plant
  • why your umbrella plant has brown spots
    Why are there tiny brown spots on umbrella plant leaves?
  • best soil mix for umbrella plants
    Best soil mix for umbrella plants

Sharing is caring!

Primary Sidebar

About Me Plant picture

Welcome!

Thank you for joining me on my plant-filled adventure here in Charleston, South Carolina! I'm obsessed with my houseplants and keeping my garden green. I want to teach you my secrets and empower you to keep your plants alive, happy, and healthy.

More about me

Popular

  • how to propagate a ficus altissima
    How to Propagate Ficus Altissima in Water (So Easy, It’s Addictive!)
  • the best plants and gardening shopping deals
    Prime Day Plant & Garden Deals (updated list!)
  • how to revive plants using kitchen staples
    How to Revive a Dying Houseplant Using Only Kitchen Staples
  • the best plants and gardening shopping deals
    Black Friday Plant & Garden Deals (updated list!)

Seasonal

  • Monstera Standleyana Plant Care Guide
    Monstera Standleyana Plant Care Guide
  • purple houseplants
    The Best Purple Houseplants
  • facts about jade plant
    7 Things You Didn't Know About Your Jade Plant
  • 9 things to know about jade plant
    9 Things Every Jade Plant Owner Should Know

Footer

Browse by category

Plant Care
Propagation

Plants by type
Troubleshooting

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 keep your plants alive on the Cravings Pro Theme