Yellowing Leaves on Philodendron adamsonii

by Sam
(Canada)

The lower leaves start to show yellow mottling

The lower leaves start to show yellow mottling

I've noticed that the leaves on my adamsonii are constantly yellowing. I know that often there's not enough light in the winter to keep them healthy, but I'm afraid that the lower stems will all be bare. Is there anything I can do to help stop this?

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Apr 01, 2026
 This could be one of many things
by: Jacki

The stress of being pulled out of the pot and losing many roots could definitely be part of the problem. For now, don't fertilize it, the roots won't be able to take up the nutrients. The soil will provide most of what it needs.

I think part of the issue is that plants always lose some leaves, it's just part of growing them. When it gets to the point of being all the leaves, then we worry. If there are still a lot of leaves that are green and healthy, not such a problem.

Water very carefully so you don't overwater, and don't move it. That would cause more stress for the poor thing. Hopefully it recovers, and starts to put out more leaves to take the place of the ones it's lost. Be patient, it takes the time it takes.
Apr 01, 2026
 It's getting worse!
by: Sam

It's been a few weeks since I first asked about this problem with my adamsonii leaves, and now it's getting a lot worse. Many of the leaves have now turned yellow and dropped off, although some of them are hanging on, yellow. What am I doing wrong and how can I fix it?

By the way, I did repot the plant after the first leaves started falling, and it was hard to get the plant out of the pot, and it accidentally got some of the roots pulled off. Could this be why it's doing this?
Mar 12, 2026
 Light Levels
by: Jacki

You're absolutely right about the number of hours of daylight affecting house plants.

You don't say if you have a grow light, but I'm guessing not. The days are getting longer into the end of March with the equinox on March 21 or so, which means that your plant will recover and possibly grow new leaves.

It's also quite likely that the stems will become bare at the bottom, which you can either embrace, as this is how they naturally are in nature, or you can cut the stems somewhere higher up so it will encourage branching on the bare stems or even below.

The good news is that this is completely normal for house plants in the northern hemisphere to show some senescence of the lower leaves in the winter. If they fall off naturally, or you cut them off, this just makes room for more leaves to form when the day length improves.

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