Knowledgebase

New growth is yellowish and dropping leaves #891747

Asked January 20, 2025, 12:48 PM EST

My previous question # 0128479 (February 2024) was answered in this space and the pruning of my large indoor "umbrella plants" was successful and followed by new growth on all pruned branches. Recently I have seen this new growth begin to yellow from its formerly dark green. Leaves both green and yellow are falling in greater numbers than last winter. Light is from the West and the window is 4' high and 8' long. Last replanting was after the Feb. 2024 pruning, using indoor potting soil including time released fertilizer. Our apartment is very dry (relative humidity 10%) with forced-air heat which has no thermostat, only an off-on option. I am unable to follow your instructions to add JPG photos to this email so will close here and try to send photos in another email. Thank you.

Ramsey County Minnesota

Expert Response

Yellowing new leaves is usually a sign of not enough nitrogen. I would add half strength fertilizer to the water you give it. Leaf drop maybe due to the cold snap. Umbrella plants are tropical and thrive when humidity is about 90%, my house in Mpls. has an indoor humidity of 18%. 
If your plant isn’t over or under watered then the leaf drop could be from very low humidity.

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