If you don’t properly care for your plants, you will notice some unusual signs or symptoms. If you see your pineapple plant turning yellow, there can be something or many things wrong with the care and management you are providing. In this article, I will answer a fascinating question: why is my pineapple plant turning yellow?
Further, we will also discuss what you can do about it depending on the real culprit. It would help if you never acted before knowing what is causing the pineapple plant to turn yellow. Therefore take it thoroughly and look at this article to take action promptly according to the type of reason/culprit/cause.
Why Is My Pineapple Plant Turning Yellow?
Overwatering / Underwatering
One of the most common reasons that people have often reported regarding their pineapple plant turning yellow is overwatering. Any overwatered plant root feels suffocated, which makes them unable to take up the necessary nutrients.
This often causes yellowing of the leaves, along with other symptoms. As per this site/source, overwatering is a common cause of yellowing in pineapple plants.
If you want to determine whether your pineapple plant is suffering from overwatering, you first need to check the soil moisture level by inserting your finger about an inch deep into the soil. If the soil is still moist, stop watering until it dries out.
On the other hand, the University of Florida IFAS Extension says that underwatering is another common cause of yellowing in pineapple plants. If your pineapple plant is not getting the proper amount of water daily, it will feel stressed and will make them unable to perform photosynthesis properly.
If this continues, your plant will start to suffer from yellowing of the leaves and other symptoms. Therefore, if you feel the soil is arid, you need to water it thoroughly and ensure the plant gets proper water drainage. Also, Out of stress, pineapple plant may start to bend/lean. If this is the case, you can easily fix that. Consider, taking a quick look at our comprehensive guide in 7 Possible Reasons Why Is My Pineapple Plant Leaning
Lack of Nitrogen / Iron
Another significant cause of pineapple plant leaves turning yellow can be due to lack of nutrients. Just like any other plant, pineapple plants also need a variety of balanced nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, & potassium.
If your plant isn’t receiving enough nutrients, it may start to turn yellow. According to the University of Florida IFAS Extension, a lack of nitrogen causes yellowing in pineapple plants. If this is the case, you need to consider fertilizing your plant with a balanced fertilizer that proportionately contains all the necessary nutrients.
I suggest you fertilize your pineapple plants with nitrogen and potassium, which have proven to improve growth and yield. You must follow the instructions on the fertilizer packaging for the correct amount to use
Pest Infestation
Do you know that pest infestations can also cause your pineapple plant to turn yellow? Many common pests, including mealybugs, scale insects, and spider mites, affect pineapple plants. If your plant suffers from any of these best infestations, you will notice webs or sticky residue along with yellow leaves on the pineapple.
This happens when these pests feed on the sap of the plant. If your pineapple plant is suffering from a pest infestation, you first need to remove the affected leaves or parts of the affected plant.
After that, treat the plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil. According to Longdom Publishing, neem oil can effectively control mealybugs on pineapple plants.
Disease
According to the University of Hawaii, disease like Pineapple heart rot can also cause yellowing in pineapple plants. Common conditions affecting your pineapple plants include root rot, black rot, and bacterial heart rot.
These diseases cause yellowing leaves, wilting, discoloration, or leaf lesions. If your pineapple plant is suffering from an illness, you should notice most of these signs in combination or together. If this is the case, you must first identify and treat the disease accordingly.
First, you must remove any affected leaves or parts of the plant and then consider using a fungicide or bactericide specifically for the type of disease you are treating on your pineapple plant. As per the Journal of Phytopathology, copper-based fungicides can effectively control black rot disease in pineapple plants.
Temperature Stress
Another significant reason why you notice yellow leaves on your pineapple plant is temperature stress. Experts suggest keeping its temperature optimal and in the range that supports plant growth.
Therefore, you should know that Pineapple plants prefer warm temperatures between 68-86°F (20-30°C). Hence, your pineapple plants can become stressed if exposed to temperatures outside this range.
So you must first check the temperature around your pineapple plants and adjust it accordingly. Depending on the temperature, you should consider moving your plants to a cooler or warmer location.
Sunburn
We should also check if your pineapple plants are in front of direct sunlight. Undoubtedly, sunburn might hamper your pineapple plant and cause it to turn yellow. Pineapple plants often look for bright, indirect light. Therefore if your pineapple plants are exposed to direct sunlight, they can become sunburned.
If your plants are exposed to direct sunlight for a prolonged period, you will notice brown or yellow spots on their leaves. If so, you must move your plant to a shadier location to prevent further damage. Alternatively, you can use shade cloth to filter the sunlight or move your plant indoors if kept outside.
Soil pH Imbalance
Finally, An imbalance in soil pH can also cause your pineapple plant to turn yellow. If you are a newbie, you might not check the soil’s pH level or keep it under 6.0-7.0 ph because most plants prefer it. If this is the case, you should know that pineapple plants prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH between 4.5-5.5.
If the soil is too alkaline, the pineapple plant will not be able to take up certain nutrients, which can cause the yellowing of the leaves. This is why I first recommend you get a soil testing kit from a nearby cardinals store online and test the soil.
If you think that the soil pH level on which pineapple plants are growing is very high, you need to add sulfur to control it. Sulfur is effective in lowering the pH level in the soil. On the other hand, if you find the soil’s pH level very low, consider adding lime to the ground to raise its pH level.
Conclusion
I tried my best to provide you all the details you need on the question, “Why Is My Pineapple Plant Turning Yellow”. After reading this article, I hope you keep your plant on proper soil pH balance and protect it from direct sunlight. Ensure you are also providing adequate air circulation and keeping the temperature and humidity level optimal that supports your pineapple plant growth.
I gave you all the information you might need to take action promptly and treat the yellow leaves on pineapple plants. If you find the article helpful, please share it. Your share is going to help many people understand the primary reasons behind pineapple plant turning yellow.
Your share will help them treat yellow pineapple plants with the right approach. Do check our other helpful guide on pineapple plant care and management. I will also advise you to review our other pineapple care and management articles for a better har waist. See you in the next post. Till then, take care and goodbye.
