Plant problems

Problem Yellow leaves on a plant Yellow leaves do not always mean a plant needs fertilizer. Check which leaves are changing, soil moisture, drainage and what recently changed. Read the guide → Problem Brown spots on leaves Brown spots may follow sun scorch, cold, watering stress or disease. Their shape, location and speed of spread help narrow down the likely cause. Read the guide → Problem Brown, dry leaf tips Brown leaf tips can follow dry air, salt buildup, uneven watering or root stress. Learn what to compare before changing care. Read the guide → Problem Curling leaves Leaves may curl because of drought, heat, cold, pests or root stress. Their texture and the state of the soil help separate the causes. Read the guide → Problem Plant dropping leaves Leaf drop may follow a move, low light, drought, waterlogging, cold or normal lower-leaf shedding. The pattern and timing matter. Read the guide → Problem Plant wilting despite watering A plant can wilt in wet soil when damaged roots cannot take up water. Check the root zone before adding more. Read the guide → Problem Overwatered plant Overwatering means the root zone remains wet for too long, not simply that a large amount of water was used once. Read the guide → Problem Underwatered plant Prolonged dry soil can cause limp leaves, crisp margins and fine-root loss. Rehydrate carefully and correct the cause. Read the guide → Problem Root rot Root rot damages water uptake and can resemble drought above the soil. Learn the signs that justify inspecting roots. Read the guide → Problem White coating on leaves A white coating may be mineral residue, powdery mildew, pests or natural wax. Test what it is before treating the plant. Read the guide → Problem Mold on potting soil Surface mold often reflects moist organic mix and limited airflow. It is a signal to review conditions, not always a plant emergency. Read the guide → Problem Spider mites on plants Fine webbing and pale stippling can reveal spider mites before leaves bronze and drop. Inspect nearby plants promptly. Read the guide → Problem Aphids on plants Aphids cluster on soft shoots, buds and leaf undersides. Early removal can prevent distortion and sticky honeydew. Read the guide → Problem Fungus gnats in potting soil Small dark flies around moist pots often indicate fungus gnats. Larvae develop in damp organic mix. Read the guide → Problem Scale insects on plants Scale insects resemble fixed brown or pale bumps and often produce sticky honeydew. Check stems, veins and leaf bases. Read the guide → Problem Mealybugs on plants Cottony clusters around leaf joints, roots or stems usually indicate mealybugs. Early isolation limits spread. Read the guide → Problem Plant not growing Slow growth can be seasonal or caused by low light, root problems, temperature, pests or a potting issue. Read the guide → Problem Plant not flowering A mature plant may fail to flower because of insufficient light, the wrong season, pruning, temperature or excess nitrogen. Read the guide →