Dropping leaves on houseplants
Common causes of dropping leaves and the first things to check, summarized from 34 PlantGrail care records across 24 plants (as of ).
What causes dropping leaves on houseplants?
It depends on the plant and how it is kept, so check the plant pages below. For Echeveria, the records explain it like this: Echeveria naturally reabsorb their oldest (bottom) leaves to fuel new growth at the center. This is normal growth, not a health issue.
Common first steps
- If leaves are crispy and dry, gently pull them off to prevent pests from hiding in the debris.
- If leaves are yellow/translucent and mushy, it is overwatering, not reabsorption.
- Position in bright indirect light (2000-4000 lux)
Plants with records for dropping leaves
Most records first. Open a plant for its own causes and fixes.
- fiddle leaf fig Ficus lyrataPlant care guide
- begonia maculata Begonia maculataPlant care guide
- croton Codiaeum variegatumPlant care guide
- money tree Pachira aquaticaPlant care guide
- pilea peperomioides Pilea peperomioidesPlant care guide
- echeveria Echeveria spp.Plant care guide
- schefflera Schefflera arboricolaPlant care guide
- begonia Begonia spp.Read the guide
- jade plant Crassula ovataPlant care guide
- schefflera arboricola Plant care guide
- string of hearts Ceropegia woodiiRead the guide
- chinese evergreen Aglaonema spp.Plant care guide
- rubber plant Ficus elasticaPlant care guide
- ficus Ficus spp.Read the guide
- calathea Goeppertia spp.Plant care guide
- pachira aquatica Plant care guide
- english ivy Hedera helixPlant care guide
- dieffenbachia Dieffenbachia spp.Plant care guide
- ficus elastica Ficus elasticaPlant care guide
- alocasia Alocasia spp.Plant care guide
- air plant Tillandsia spp.Plant care guide
- dracaena Dracaena spp.Plant care guide
- peperomia Peperomia spp.Read the guide
- hoya Hoya spp.Read the guide
Questions about dropping leaves
Which plants have the most records for dropping leaves?
fiddle leaf fig, begonia maculata, croton, money tree, pilea peperomioides and 19 others.
Can dropping leaves be prevented?
Ensure the plant is receiving enough light. High light levels slow down the rate of reabsorption.
What are these records?
This page summarizes 34 PlantGrail care records on dropping leaves. Records describe care topics; they are not counts of observed plants or treatment outcomes.