Too much sun or a feeding gap
Yellowing concentrated on the newest leaves usually means harsh sun or a feeding shortfall.
Diagnosis
Too much sun or a feeding gap
What's happening
New leaves bleaching to a pale, washed-out yellow on the window side points to too much direct sun scorching the tender variegated growth. Pale, weak new leaves with no recent feeding instead point to a nutrient shortfall, since young growth is the first to show a lack of food.
How to fix it
Move the plant out of any direct sun into the bright, indirect light dumb cane prefers. If feeding is overdue, start a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength through the growing season. New leaves that emerge after the change should come in a healthy green with crisp variegation.
What fixes it
- A balanced liquid fertilizer — A balanced feed greens up pale, undernourished new growth.
If that doesn't fix it
This is general guidance based on common symptoms; individual plants vary.
Read the full Dumb Cane care guide →
Reviewed June 2026 · how we check this