Fittonia Yellow Leaves

9 years ago

I recently purchased a fittonia "superba" somewhere in the neighborhood of 3 weeks or so ago. In the past few days I've noticed that two leaves (on one of the three individual plants in my pot) are in the process of turning completely yellow!

The leaves look like they're almost "balding", in a way- I can see small dots of green as it recedes. The tip of one of the leaves is also starting to turn brown. All the plants in the pot are planted too deep, but this one is planted the deepest and the yellowing leaves are the lowest on that individual.

I have been careful not to over- or under-water it. The pot has drainage holes, I've been keeping the plant in a wet pebble tray, and I have fertilized the plant once with a 1/2 strength dose of basic, water-soluble houseplant fertilizer.

I've also made sure the plant is getting as much sunlight as I can give it without being in direct sunlight (its life on the windowsill stopped after week one when I noticed sunburn on a leaf).

The rest of the plant is completely healthy and has been putting out new growth. Can anyone help me figure out what is wrong? Would it be best if I just trim the leaves off and forget about it?

Comments (3)

Squamatic
Original Author
9 years ago
The second of the three images I have. This shows the yellowing leaves at a bit of a different angle
Squamatic
Original Author
9 years ago
The third of three images I have. This shows the full plant with the yellowing leaves in the lower left area of the pot
Related Professionals
Ballenger Creek Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Elwood Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Paradise Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Clermont Landscape Contractors · Lakeland Landscape Contractors · Dudley Landscape Contractors · Inglewood Landscape Contractors · Lake Saint Louis Landscape Contractors · Lake Worth Landscape Contractors · Lemay Landscape Contractors · Middletown Landscape Contractors · Oak Forest Landscape Contractors · Petaluma Landscape Contractors · The Villages Landscape Contractors · Tahoe City Interior Designers & Decorators
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
9 years ago
When a leaf or branch becomes a net user of energy rather than a net producer, chemical messengers tell the plant to shed the leaf or branch. These messengers can be activated by changes in light exposure the leaf is not adapted to tolerate or several other stimuli. Changes in which the plant is exposed to less light or a shorter photoperiod often cause shedding. This can occur from an actual change in light, or from the shading out of older leaves closer to the interior or the base of the plant. Root congestion, drought stress (caused by over or under-watering), and over-fertilizing, as well as sudden chill, can also cause the shedding of older and interior foliage.

If every time a person sought help determining the cause of yellowing foliage I guessed the cause to be soil saturation for extended periods, impacting root health/function, at least 9 of 10 times I'd be right, so look first in that direction. If you're watering while the top of the soil is still moist, it's almost certainly having a negative impact on the plant.

The best course of action would be to start using a soil that allows you to water correctly w/o worry that the 'soggy factor' will have more control over root health than you do. You first need to be able to maintain a healthy root system if there is to be reasonable expectation of a healthy plant. Soil choice is always going to be a primary factor in determining how much you'll be able to take from the growing experience.

Al