Troubleshooting
What's Wrong with My Plant?
Diagnose by symptom. Each section covers the likely causes, how to fix it, and links to the species most commonly affected.
Yellow Leaves
Likely causes
The most common cause is overwatering — roots sitting in soggy soil can no longer deliver nutrients. Other triggers include underwatering, nutrient deficiency, too little light, or natural leaf aging at the base of the plant.
What to do
Check the soil first. If it is wet or compacted, let it dry out and review your watering frequency. If the soil is bone dry and the pot is lightweight, water thoroughly. Yellowing starting from older leaves at the base is normal shedding and not a problem.
Common in
Drooping or Wilting
Likely causes
Drooping almost always means water stress — either too much or too little. Overwatered plants droop because roots have rotted and can no longer take up water. Underwatered plants droop because cells have lost turgor pressure.
What to do
Lift the pot. If it feels heavy and soil is wet, hold off on watering and improve drainage. If it feels light and soil is dry, water thoroughly and the plant should recover within a few hours. Peace lily and pothos are both dramatic wilters that bounce back quickly.
Common in
Root Rot
Likely causes
Root rot is caused by fungal pathogens (most often Pythium or Phytophthora) that thrive in waterlogged, anaerobic soil. Pots without drainage holes, heavy soil mixes, and overwatering are the usual contributors.
What to do
Remove the plant from the pot, trim all mushy brown roots to healthy white tissue, and let the root ball air-dry for an hour. Repot in fresh, well-draining mix with a pot that has at least one drainage hole. Hold off watering for a week, then resume cautiously. If the crown is mushy, the plant is unlikely to survive.
Common in
Brown Leaf Tips
Likely causes
Brown tips typically indicate low humidity, fluoride or salt buildup from tap water, or inconsistent watering. They can also appear after a cold draft or after the plant's roots have run out of room in the pot.
What to do
Raise humidity by grouping plants or placing the pot on a pebble tray filled with water. Switch to filtered or rainwater if tap water is heavily chlorinated or fluoride-treated. Flush the soil every few months by watering until water runs freely through the drainage holes. Trim brown tips with clean scissors, cutting at a slight angle to keep the natural leaf shape.
Common in
Pests
Likely causes
The most common indoor plant pests are fungus gnats (larvae damage roots in wet soil), spider mites (dusty webbing on the undersides of leaves in dry air), mealybugs (white cottony clusters), and scale (brown bumps on stems).
What to do
Isolate the affected plant immediately to prevent spread. For fungus gnats, let the soil dry out more between waterings — the larvae need moisture to survive. Spider mites respond well to a strong water spray and raised humidity. Mealybugs and scale can be removed with a cotton ball dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol. Neem oil or insecticidal soap are effective broad-spectrum options for persistent infestations.
Common in
Looking for a species-specific problem list? Browse all plant guides — each page has a Common Problems section.