What's wrong with my plant?

• Check the soil moisture with your finger.
• Inspect both sides of the leaves and the stems.
• Note whether old or new growth is affected.
• Think about what changed recently — location, season, watering, or repotting.

• Yellow leaves: Usually watering, light, or nutrients. See our full guide: why plant leaves turn yellow.
• Brown, crispy tips or edges: Low humidity, underwatering, or salt build-up from fertilizer and tap water. Water more consistently, flush the soil with plain water every few months, and group plants together to raise humidity.
• Brown or black soft spots: Often fungal or bacterial leaf spot, encouraged by wet leaves and poor airflow. Remove affected leaves, water the soil rather than the leaves, and improve air circulation.
• Drooping or wilting: Either too dry or too wet — check the soil. Wet soil plus wilting often means root damage. Water if dry. If wet, let it dry out and check the roots.
• White powder on leaves: Powdery mildew, a fungal disease. Wipe off, remove badly affected leaves, increase airflow, and treat with a fungicide suited to houseplants.
• Sticky leaves, webbing, or tiny bugs: Pests such as aphids, spider mites, mealybugs, or scale. Isolate the plant, rinse or wipe leaves, and treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly.
• Mushy stems and a bad smell from the soil: Root rot from long-term overwatering. Act fast — see how to revive a dying plant.
• Leggy, stretched growth: Not enough light. Move closer to a bright window or add a grow light, and prune to encourage fuller growth.
• Leaves dropping suddenly: Shock from a move, temperature change, or drafts. Keep conditions steady and avoid overcorrecting — many plants settle within a few weeks.

Move the affected plant away from others until it's clear. Clean scissors between cuts, don't reuse soil from a diseased plant, and check new plants carefully before bringing them home.

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