Zamioculcas zamiifolia, also known as the “lucky feather” due to the characteristic arrangement of the leaf feathers, comes from the dry expanses of East Africa. The succulent plant is particularly common in Zanzibar. When it comes to care, Zamioculcas does not have particularly high demands, on the contrary: the plant is considered extremely easy to care for. However, this adaptable plant can also express its discomfort from time to time with yellow leaves.
Why does my Zamioculcas have yellow leaves?
Yellow leaves on Zamioculcas can be caused by too much water, spider mite infestation or root injuries when repotting. Moderate watering, good drainage and a pest inspection will help resolve the problem.
Most common reason for yellow leaves: too much water
By far the most common reason for yellow leaves on the lucky feather is too much water. This damages the roots, causes roots and shoots to rot and ensures that the plant can no longer be supplied with sufficient moisture and nutrients - ultimately the conduction pathways are destroyed by the rot. Zamioculcas is a succulent plant, i.e. H. it has the ability to store water in its fleshy stems and leaves for dry times. For this reason, you should water the plant moderately and, above all, ensure good drainage.
Infestation with spider mites or the red spider
Infestation with spider mites can also lead to yellow leaves. These animals love a warm and dry climate - just like the Zamioculcas - and prefer to attack weakened plants that are no longer able to defend themselves. Although an infestation of the lucky feather is very rare (just as diseases are rare), it is still not unlikely. Initially, yellowish to brown dots appear in the affected areas, until finally the entire leaf turns yellow and eventually falls off.
Tip
If neither water nor spider mites are the cause of the yellow leaves, then a root injury caused by the last repotting or dividing of the plant could possibly be the cause. In this case, only the affected shoot usually dies, all others remain he althy.