Queen of the Night with Yellow Leaves: Causes and Solutions
Epiphyllum oxypetalum
Is your Queen of the Night showing yellow leaves? Discover 7 possible causes and how to treat them.
🔍 Possible Causes (7)
Scale Insects
Scale insects are small sap-sucking pests that appear as brown, shell-like bumps on plant stems and leaves. There are over 25 species, divided into armored (hard) and unarmored (soft) scales. They feed by piercing plant tissue and extracting sap, which weakens the plant and can lead to yellowing, stunted growth, and even death if left untreated. They also excrete honeydew, which attracts ants and promotes sooty mold growth.
✓ Related symptoms:
- • Yellowing or chlorotic (pale) leaves
⚡ Quick Fixes:
Step 1
Overwatering
Overwatering occurs when plants receive too much water, depriving roots of oxygen and causing root rot. This environmental stress is one of the most common causes of houseplant death, as waterlogged soil prevents roots from breathing and functioning properly.
✓ Related symptoms:
- • Yellow or brown limp, droopy leaves that feel soft and mushy
- • Dropping leaves (both old and new) that may be green, brown, or yellow
- • Brown spots or edges with yellow halos on leaves (bacterial infection)
⚡ Quick Fixes:
Step 1
Poor Air Circulation
Poor air circulation is an environmental stress condition that occurs when plants lack adequate airflow around their foliage and stems. Stagnant air creates a microenvironment that promotes moisture buildup, depletes available CO2, and weakens plant defenses against fungal diseases and pests. This is especially common with densely packed indoor plants or plants placed in corners with limited ventilation.
✓ Related symptoms:
- • Yellowing or curling leaves
⚡ Quick Fixes:
Install a fan immediately
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are small, soft-bodied insects covered with a white, waxy, cottony material. They are common pests of houseplants and outdoor plants in mild climates. These sap-sucking insects feed on plant tissue, causing damage, stunted growth, and can lead to plant death if left untreated. They produce sticky honeydew which attracts sooty mold.
✓ Related symptoms:
- • Yellowing or wilting leaves
⚡ Quick Fixes:
Step 1
Spider Mites
Spider mites are tiny arachnids (less than 1/20 inch long) related to spiders and ticks that feed on plant sap. They thrive in hot, dry conditions and can cause significant damage to ornamental and vegetable plants. During severe infestations, crop losses can reach 14% or higher as these pests disrupt vital plant processes including photosynthesis, carbon dioxide absorption, and transpiration.
✓ Related symptoms:
- • Tiny yellow or white speckles on leaf surface (stippling)
- • Leaves taking on yellow or bronzed appearance
⚡ Quick Fixes:
Step 1
Anthracnose
Anthracnose is a fungal disease caused by fungi in the genus Colletotrichum that affects many plants, including vegetables, fruits, and trees. The disease thrives in cool, wet conditions, causing dark, sunken lesions on leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits.
✓ Related symptoms:
- • Small irregular yellow or brown spots on leaves
⚡ Quick Fixes:
Remove and discard all visibly infected parts
Root Rot
Root rot is a serious fungal disease that affects the root system of plants, causing them to decay and die. It is primarily caused by overwatering, poor drainage, or soil-borne fungi such as Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium. The disease thrives in waterlogged conditions where roots are deprived of oxygen, making them susceptible to fungal infection.
✓ Related symptoms:
- • Yellowing or browning of leaves
⚡ Quick Fixes:
Emergency unpotting