Overwatering
Wet soil plus yellowing lower leaves points squarely at overwatering — Stromanthe wants steady moisture, not a swamp.
Diagnosis
Overwatering
What's happening
Stromanthe likes evenly damp soil, but when the mix stays waterlogged the fine roots can't take up oxygen and begin to suffocate and rot. The plant responds by sacrificing its oldest, lowest leaves first, which yellow uniformly and go soft before they drop.
How to fix it
Stop watering and let the top of the soil dry out. Slip the plant out and check the roots — firm and pale is healthy, so trim away any brown, mushy roots with clean scissors and repot into a fresh, light, peat-based mix in a pot with drainage holes. Going forward, water when the top inch is just barely dry; Stromanthe wants consistent moisture but never sodden, soggy soil.
What fixes it
- A soil moisture meter — A moisture meter removes the guesswork — water when it reads barely dry an inch down, not while it's still wet.
If that doesn't fix it
This is general guidance based on common symptoms; individual plants vary.
Read the full Stromanthe Triostar care guide →
Reviewed June 2026 · how we check this