Gardening Plant Problems

Why Leaf Drop Occurs on Houseplants and What to Do About It

leaves falling from a fiddle leaf fig

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida 

Leaf drop on a favorite houseplant is a frustrating problem because it can be hard to diagnose the cause and correct the situation. It's also possible that it is not a problem at all—leaf drop is a normal condition of growth for many plants, in which lower leaves die and fall off gradually as part of the life cycle. If you suddenly lose a lot of leaves at once, or if you start losing healthy green leaves, then you might have one of the following problems. 

Shock

This is the most common cause of leaf drop, but it can be the hardest to correct. Shock is most often caused by a sudden change in conditions, such as when a houseplant has been enjoying outdoor conditions and is then brought indoors as cold weather approaches. The opposite is also true: an indoor plant taken outdoors for the summer may also experience shock.

Shock is usually a response to dramatic changes in temperature, humidity, light levels, or watering habits. Newly acquired plants, for instance, often go into shock as they transition from the perfect conditions of a greenhouse to less-than-ideal home conditions. The same is true for newly repotted or divided plants.

Sadly, there's not much you can do about shock, other than hope the plant survives. In most cases the shock is a temporary condition; as the plant adjusts to new conditions, its health will return. If you are transitioning a plant to outdoor conditions, do so gradually—giving the plant increasing long visits to the outdoors until it is acclimated to the conditions. Do the same when bringing the plant indoors for the winter—start in fall with short visits indoors to get it accustomed to the change.

closeup of leaf drop
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida 

Fun Fact

Houseplants may be messy when they drop leaves, but they are efficient indoor air cleaners and can even reduce stress. Through photosynthesis, they can absorb toxins and allergens in homes and offices.

Low Humidity

Many houseplants are tropical species, and when they are grown in the dry indoor conditions found in northern winter climates, they may react by dropping leaves. This is a natural response since the plant is attempting to conserve its moisture loss by reducing the number of leaves that are transpiring moisture. This can be seen as a form of shock, but because dry winter conditions are slow to develop, it may occur quite gradually. Resting the pot on a tray of pebbles kept constantly wet may help with humidity levels. You can also mist the leaves regularly to prevent them from drying out. 

person misting a plant
The Spruce / Anastasia Tretiak

Physical Damage

Plants that are in high-traffic areas or are frequently brushed will sometimes drop leaves inexplicably. Pets and children rubbing plants can cause leaf drop. Try moving the plant to a low traffic location, or elevate to a height where it will be safe from contact. 

Pests

Certain pests, such as mealybugs, spider mites, and scale, can cause leaf drop. Check fallen leaves carefully for telltale signs of infestation. If you see pests, treat the plant and the leaf-drop should stop. Insecticidal soap is a good low-impact pesticide to use on indoor pests. 

closeup of mealy bugs
The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong

Low Light

If your plant drops leaves in winter, it may not be getting enough light. Sunlight levels are low in the sky and the light is indirect in the winter months, even for plants that sit directly in front of a window. Try moving the plant to a sunnier spot, one that receives more natural light during the day, or augment the plant's light level by providing artificial light. 

Extreme Temperatures

Many tropical plants will begin to drop healthy leaves when they are exposed to cold drafts. Conversely, a plant that finds itself exposed to the heat of a radiator or heat duct when the furnace begins to run in fall and winter may drop leaves because it is too warm. Keep your plants away from extremes of heat and cold.

Over- or Under-Watering

Retaining soil moisture levels can be tricky with indoor plants. Leaf drop can occur either because the soil is too wet or too dry. In general, wait until the top inch or so of potting soil feels dry, and then give the plant a thorough soaking.

watering a houseplant
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida 

Nutritional Deficit

If the leaf drop is preceded by leaves turning yellow or pale green first, it's possible your plant is reacting to insufficient fertilizer. Try increasing its feeding schedule to see if that helps. 

houseplant leaf turning yellow
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle 

Know Your Plants

When choosing a plant for your home, be sure to read the plant tag for care instructions. Although all houseplants will require light, water, warmth and nutrition, different plants may need to be cared for differently. For instance, the popular Ficus tree will drop leaves as soon as you move it where the hardy vining pathos plant will grow just about anywhere. The more you know about your new plant the better able you will be to care for and enjoy it for many years.


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  1. Why Houseplants Drop Leaves. University of Vermont Extension

  2. Transplant Shock. University of Kentucky Extension