12 Reasons for String of Nickels Plant Yellowing Leaves and How to Fix Them

Some links in this post may be affiliate links

String of Nickels Plant (Dischidia nummularia) leaves may turn yellow due to overwatering, little light, underfeeding, pests and poor quality soil among others.

The String of Nickels Plant grows best in bright light with some morning sunshine, average warmth and moderately moist soil during the growing season. It also require free-draining soil and infrequent feeding inorder to thrive.

If the required conditions are not met, some problems may arise like yellowing and dropping leaves. We have herebelow outlined some reasons for yellowing leaves in String of Nickels Plant and their solutions. Keep reading for more details.

12 Reasons why String of Nickels Plant leaves are yellowing

1. Underfeeding

Underfeeding String of Nickels Plant implies that the plant is not getting enough nutrients need for growth and energy.

Inadequate nutrients in the actively growing tips causes nutrients to be withdrawn from the older lower leaves which begin to yellow and drop.

Solutions

Feed String of Nickels Plant twice during the growing season with a slow release fertilizer. Take care not to underfeed and follow the instructions on the label of the plant food.

2. Too Little Light

String of Nickels Plant requires bright light with some morning sunshine to make food that is required for energy and growth. Insufficient light implies that the plant cannot make enough food for energy and growth.

In an attempt to save energy, the String of Nickels Plant begins to die. The death of the plant begins from the leaves which slowly turn yellow and eventually die. This way, the energy available is saved for the plant's vital functions inorder to keep alive.

Solutions

Move the String of Nickels Plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright light with some morning sunshine or instal grow lights if you do not have adequate natural lighting in your home.

3. Pest Infestations

String of Nickels Plant is prone to spider mites, scale insects, aphids and mealy bugs.

These pests attack the new growth from where they suck the plant sap. This causes the String of Nickels Plant to become dehydrated which results in yellow leaves.

Solutions

Regularly inspect your String of Nickels Plant for the pests and take timely control measures.

Treat the String of Nickels Plant appropriately for the pests with appropriate products like neem oil or insecticidal soap among others.

4. Poor Quality Soil

Poor quality soil does not drain easily and therefore it easily becomes compacted or soggy which can negatively impact the growth of the plant.

String of Nickels Plant requires loose, free-draining soil that does not hold excessive amounts of water as soggy soil can lead to root-rot disease and eventual death of the plant.

Solutions

Pot your String of Nickels Plant in good quality soil that is loose, free-draining and rich in organic matter like this Cactus and Succulents Soil available on Amazon.

5. Overwatering

Overwatering String of Nickels Plant results in excess water in the soil, that is, soggy soil. Too much water in the soil reduces the oxygen concentration in the rootzone which causes the roots to die.

When roots die, they cannot take up water and nutrients to the upper parts of the plant including the leaves.

Lack of water and nutrients in the leaves implies that they cannot make enough food needed for growth and energy. Therefore, the String of Nickels Plant begins to die and death begins from the leaves which turn yellow and die.

Solutions

To avoid getting soggy soil, ensure that the pot for your String of Nickels Plant has a drainage hole and that the soil is loose and free-draining like this quality Cactus and Succulents Mix available on Amazon.

Water String of Nickels moderately and allow the top 2-3 inch of soil to dry out between waterings.

Reduce watering for the String of Nickels Plant during the cold season to maintain the soil barely moist as growth is minimal at this time.

6. Underwatering

Underwatering String of Nickels Plant implies that there is too little moisture in the soil. As such, there is no water in the soil for the plant to take up to the leaves and other parts.

Therefore, the plant cannot make enough food for growth and energy. As such, the String of Nickels plant begins to die from the leaves which turn yellow, then brown and die.

Solutions

Water the String of Nickels Plant moderately during the growing season and allow the to 2-3 in. of soil to dry out between waterings. Reduce watering during the cold season but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

7. Cold draughts (drafts)

String of Nickels Plant requires average room temperatures with a minimum of 15⁰C inorder to thrive.

Extremely cold temperatures due to cold draughts will cause the plant to stop growing and begin to die which starts with yellowing leaves.

Solutions

Keep the String of Nickels Plant away from cold draughts (drafts) like windy doors, drafts windows and other cold areas to prevent cold temperatures.

Maintain an average room temperature with a minimum of 15⁰C. Usually, a room temperature that is comfortable for you is ideal for String of Nickels Plant.

8. Overfeeding

Overfeeding String of Nickels Plant will cause the roots to die due to fertilizer burn. When the roots die, they cannot take up water and nutrients to the leaves.

The lack of nutrients and water needed for making food for growth and energy signals death for the plant which begins from the leaves. The leaves turn, yellow, brown and eventually die.

Solutions

Take care not to overfeed your String of Nickels Plant. Feed String of Nickels Plant twice during the growing season with a succulents fertilizer.

String of Nickels Plant is not a heavy feeder so be careful when feeding. Follow the instructions on the label of the plant food to avoid overfeeding.

Regularly flush out the salts from the soil by running a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage holes and repeat the process several times.

9. Aging

Naturally, the older lower String of Nickels Plant leaves will turn yellow and die to give room for growth of new leaves.

Solutions

Remove the yellow leaves to maintain the plant neat and tidy. Trim the bare stems at the beginning of the growing season and use them to propagate new plants.

10. Root-rot Disease

String of Nickels Plant is prone to root-rot disease. Root-rot disease is brought about by soggy soil. The disease is indicated by wilted, discolored and yellowing leaves which eventually drop and die.

When the soil is soggy, the oxygen concentration in the soil is reduced which causes the roots to die. Once the String of Nickels Plant roots die, they cannot take up water and nutrients to the leaves. The leaves begin to yellow and eventually die.

Solutions

Take out the String of Nickels Plant from its pot and inspect the roots. Brown-black mushy roots indicate root-rot, trim them off and treat the healthy roots with a fungicidal solution.

Disinfect the pot or use a fresh pot to repot the plant in fresh free-draining soil. Do not water the String of Nickels Plant and keep it dry for some time before resuming watering. Read more on how to treat root-rot in houseplants.

11. Root Bound Plant

If the String of Nickels Plant is root bound, the roots have filled the pot and there is very little soil to hold water when you water.

Therefore, the plant cannot take up water and nutrients needed for making food for energy to the leaves. Lack of adequate food causes the plant to begin dying which starts from the leaves which turn yellow and die.

Solutions

Check the bottom of the pot for roots growing through the drainage hole.

Repot the String of Nickels Plant into a pot one size larger than the current one to provide adequate room for growth or divide it to propagate new plants.

12. Repotting Shock

Repotting String of Nickels will cause it some shock which may lead to some leaves wilting and turn yellow before it can adjust the new growing conditions.

Solutions

To minimize repotting shock for your String of Nickels Plant, water the plant thoroughly one day before repotting. A well hydrated plant experiences less shock and is easier to divide.

Do not make too many changes at once. For instance, after repotting, maintain the String of Nickels Plant plant in the same location until it is well established before moving it to a new location.

Tweet

Amazon Associates Disclosure

---

Homeplantsguide.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.