Houseplant Problem Diagnoser
Most houseplant problems come down to water, light or roots. Yellow, soft or drooping leaves on wet soil usually mean overwatering. Drooping, curling or crispy leaves on dry soil usually mean the plant is thirsty. Pale, stretched growth means it needs more light. Use the diagnoser to match your plant's symptoms to the most likely cause and the first thing to fix.
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Common symptoms at a glance
| What you see | Likely cause | First fix |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow leaves, soil stays wet | Overwatering or root rot | Stop watering and check the roots |
| Drooping or curling, soil bone dry | Underwatering | Soak until water drains out the bottom |
| Brown, crispy tips | Dry air, tap water minerals or fertilizer salts | Flush the soil; group plants or use a humidifier |
| Soft, mushy stem base | Root or stem rot | Unpot, cut away rot, repot in fresh mix |
| Stretched, pale growth | Too little light | Move closer to a bright window in stages |
| Leaves dropping after a move | Settling in | Keep conditions steady for a few weeks |
For every symptom in detail, read why is my plant dying? A symptom-by-symptom guide.
FAQ
What's wrong with my plant?
Check the soil first. Soggy soil with yellow or drooping leaves points to overwatering or root rot. Bone-dry soil with drooping, curling or crispy leaves points to underwatering. Stretched, pale growth means too little light. Use the diagnoser above to narrow it down.
Why is my plant dying even though I water it?
Watering too often is the most common reason. Roots in soil that never dries run short of oxygen and rot, so the plant wilts and yellows even though it has water. Let the top inch or two of soil dry before you water again, and check the roots.
How do I save a dying houseplant?
Stop watering, take the plant out of its pot and check the roots. Cut away any brown, mushy roots, repot in fresh mix in a pot with a drainage hole, then fix the light and watering. Our root rot rescue guide walks through each step.
Related guides and tools
- Why is my plant dying? A symptom-by-symptom guide
- Spider plant brown tips and yellow leaves
- Why is my peace lily turning yellow?
- How to care for succulents
- Yellow leaves checker
- Root rot rescue guide
- Watering calculator
Sources
- Iowa State University Extension: Diagnosing houseplant problems related to poor culture
- Iowa State University Extension: Why does my houseplant have brown leaf tips and edges?
- University of Maryland Extension: Overwatered indoor plants
- UC Statewide IPM Program: Houseplant problems
- Clemson HGIC: Houseplant diseases and disorders
- University of Illinois Extension: Tips for repotting houseplants
Reviewed by Nick Alan, founder of Palma, with more than 25 years of experience growing plants.