Question
I have always grown large beautiful pathos plants in hanging baskets in my home with little effort.  I have recently moved from New Mexico to Texas and within 4 months my plants leaves are starting to yellow and die off.  I am still getting a lot of new growth, but the plants are no longer healthy looking.  None of them have direct sunlight, but did not in my last home.  I have them in various rooms in the house and all are doing the same.  Can it be something in the water ?  Should i change to bottled water ?

Answer
Hi Kathy,

Plants do not like to be relocated. In nature, they put down roots and stay in one spot throughout their lives.

There are several possible explanations because leaf yellowing is a generic symptom with multiple causes.

Any significant change in light - either increased or decreased - will cause older leaves to yellow. Newer leaves that emerge will be adapted to the new light. Try to duplicate previous light as much as possible.

Try to find out in your local tap water is on the hard side. If so, the excess minerals in the water will change the soil pH and cause leaf yellowing. If your water is hard, then use filtered, distilled or rain water.

A change in light and humidity can change the amount of water a plant requires. If you are staying with the same watering schedule you used in NM, it may no longer be appropriate.

I have written an article on the care of Pothos that I will email to anyone who sends a request to my address below.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC