Feel below the surface.
A dry crust can hide wet roots. Check more than one spot before deciding the plant needs water.
The plant doctor
A little observation.
A better next step.
Something changed? Start with what you can see. A few quick checks will help you decide what your plant needs.
No plant name or photo upload needed.
01
What looks different?
Choose the closest match to your plant.
Illustrations show patterns, not a confirmed diagnosis.
- 1 Observe
- 2 Check
- 3 Act
Let the plant lead
Start with a symptom.
Select an illustrated leaf to the left, or above on a small screen. We’ll guide you through what to look at next.
- 01 Match what you see
- 02 Check a few useful clues
- 03 Get your next steps
For common leaf and growth problems in houseplants and garden plants. Results suggest checks and possible causes; species-specific problems may need a closer diagnosis.
A closer look
Where is the yellowing?
Compare the newest leaves with the older leaves near the base.
A closer look
How does the soil feel below the surface?
Check near the roots, not just the dry crust. In a pot, feel the mix 1–2 inches down and lift it to judge its weight. Check deeper in a garden bed.
A closer look
When does the change show up?
Timing helps separate temporary stress from a problem that needs closer inspection.
A closer look
Which pattern fits best?
Look at where the damage starts and what changed before it appeared.
A closer look
What do the marks look like?
Turn a leaf over. Check both sides and the places where leaves join the stem.
A closer look
What shape is the damage?
An old hole will not heal. Look for fresh damage and signs of what made it.
A closer look
What can you find nearby?
Check underneath leaves and visit again after dark if daytime checks reveal nothing.
A closer look
What is different about the growth?
Compare with this plant’s usual habit, season, and growing conditions.
A closer look
Do you see anything on the new growth?
Use a magnifier if available. Not every curled leaf is caused by a pest.
Your next steps
Check for a dry root zone
Too little available water may explain the symptoms. Verify that the root ball itself is dry before watering.
Confirm the clues
- Feel more than one spot; the surface and root ball can differ.
- Check for water running around a dry root ball instead of soaking in.
What to do now
- If the plant is due for water, apply it slowly across the root area. Let a container drain completely.
- Recheck moisture before watering again. Cacti, succulents, and dormant plants need different drying intervals.
Hold off on Do not repeat small daily splashes or add fertilizer to a wilted plant.
What to watch for
Check posture later today and again tomorrow morning. Persistent wilting after moisture is restored needs a closer root and stem inspection.
Read more & check the sources
Related Guru Gardeners guide →Maryland Extension · Watering indoor plants ↗Your next steps
Check drainage and root health
Saturated soil can deprive roots of air. Yellowing or wilting in wet soil can also accompany root decay.
Confirm the clues
- Check drainage holes, saucers, and standing water.
- For a manageable potted plant, inspect roots gently: softness and decay matter more than color alone.
What to do now
- Empty collected water and let excess drain. Pause watering while the root zone remains too wet.
- If roots are decaying or the stem base is soft, separate the pot from healthy plants and seek plant-specific advice. In a bed, investigate drainage.
Hold off on Do not add more water just because leaves droop, or fertilize to force recovery.
What to watch for
Monitor moisture and new damage daily. Rapid collapse or spreading stem decay warrants prompt expert help.
Read more & check the sources
Related Guru Gardeners guide →Maryland Extension · Indoor plant problems ↗Your next steps
A few older leaves may be retiring
Gradual loss of a few old leaves can be normal when new growth and the rest of the plant remain healthy.
Confirm the clues
- Confirm that only the oldest leaves are affected.
- Check for an expanding pattern, wet soil, or visible pests before calling it normal aging.
What to do now
- Photograph the plant now and compare the same leaves in a week.
- Keep the current care routine if moisture and new growth are healthy; remove fully dead leaves.
Hold off on Do not fertilize solely because one older leaf turns yellow.
What to watch for
If yellowing reaches newer leaves or leaf drop accelerates, restart with “Many leaves” and check moisture.
Read more & check the sources
Related Guru Gardeners guide →Wisconsin Extension · Reasons for yellow leaves ↗Your next steps
Check nutrient availability, not just fertilizer
Pale tissue between green veins can indicate chlorosis. Leaf appearance alone cannot identify the missing nutrient or the reason it is unavailable.
Confirm the clues
- Record whether the youngest or oldest leaves are affected.
- Check roots, drainage, and the plant’s preferred soil pH.
What to do now
- Identify the plant and use a soil or potting-medium test suited to it.
- Correct a confirmed pH or nutrient problem using the test recommendation and product label.
Hold off on Do not add iron, Epsom salts, or acidifiers on color alone.
What to watch for
Compare new leaves as they expand. If growth deteriorates, obtain a diagnosis before adding amendments.
Read more & check the sources
Related Guru Gardeners guide →Maryland Extension · Nutrient deficiency ↗Your next steps
Heat stress is one possibility
Temporary drooping in hot conditions can occur even when soil is moist. Overnight recovery is useful evidence, but does not rule out disease.
Confirm the clues
- Compare the plant early in the morning and during afternoon heat.
- Check the root zone again; a damp surface can hide dry roots.
What to do now
- Where practical, give a stressed container temporary shelter from intense afternoon sun and drying wind.
- Keep moisture appropriate for the plant, and inspect stems if wilting becomes persistent or one-sided.
Hold off on Do not saturate already moist soil to chase afternoon wilting.
What to watch for
Check the next cool morning. Failure to recover, stem discoloration, or rapid decline needs further diagnosis.
Read more & check the sources
Related Guru Gardeners guide →Minnesota Extension · Gardens in the heat ↗Minnesota Extension · Managing plant diseases ↗Your next steps
Check the newly planted root ball
Root disturbance and a sudden change in conditions can interrupt water uptake after planting.
Confirm the clues
- Feel the original root ball as well as surrounding soil.
- Check planting depth, drainage, and exposure to wind or intense sun.
What to do now
- Water according to root-ball moisture; do not assume moist surrounding soil means moist roots.
- Give tender transplants temporary protection from harsh conditions and allow time to establish.
Hold off on Avoid repeated repotting or strong fertilizer while roots are stressed.
What to watch for
Look for stable posture and healthy new growth. Continued collapse or stem-base damage needs closer assessment.
Read more & check the sources
Related Guru Gardeners guide →Minnesota Extension · Healthy transplants ↗Your next steps
Check for sun scorch
Bleached or brown patches on exposed leaves, especially after a move, fit a sudden increase in light.
Confirm the clues
- Compare the sun-facing side with sheltered leaves.
- Check whether damage began after moving the plant or removing shade.
What to do now
- Return a recently moved plant to suitable filtered light.
- Increase sun exposure gradually according to the species. Keep healthy leaf tissue.
Hold off on Do not expect scorched patches to turn green or move a shade plant straight into full sun.
What to watch for
Watch new leaves over the next one to two weeks. Continuing damage in suitable light suggests another cause.
Read more & check the sources
Related Guru Gardeners guide →Minnesota Extension · Moving plants outdoors ↗Your next steps
Check for fertilizer or mineral buildup
Brown margins after feeding, especially with crusted potting mix, can point to excess soluble salts. A crust alone does not prove injury.
Confirm the clues
- Review product strength, dose, and recent feeding dates.
- Check that water drains freely before attempting to flush a pot.
What to do now
- Pause fertilizer while investigating.
- For a freely draining container with confirmed buildup, follow plant-specific leaching or repotting advice. Use soil-test guidance for garden beds.
Hold off on Do not flush a waterlogged pot or add another supplement to counteract the first.
What to watch for
Monitor new growth and root condition. Dead leaf margins will remain brown.
Read more & check the sources
Related Guru Gardeners guide →Maryland Extension · Watering indoor plants ↗Your next steps
Cold injury may fit the timing
Tender tissue can become limp, water-soaked, then dark after chilling or frost.
Confirm the clues
- Compare the damage with recent overnight temperatures or a cold window.
- Check whether protected leaves escaped injury.
What to do now
- Move tender pots to suitable shelter and protect plants before another cold event.
- Let frozen tissue thaw naturally. Assess what is actually dead before pruning.
Hold off on Do not use fertilizer to force a cold-stressed plant into growth.
What to watch for
Damage can become clearer over several days. Soft, spreading stem decay needs prompt attention.
Read more & check the sources
Related Guru Gardeners guide →Maryland Extension · Frost and cold injury ↗Your next steps
Check for powdery mildew
White powdery patches can be a fungal coating. Mineral residue, normal leaf markings, and waxy insects can look similar.
Confirm the clues
- Use a hand lens to distinguish surface powder from individual insects.
- Compare the pattern with a guide for your plant species.
What to do now
- Improve spacing and airflow without stripping healthy foliage.
- Remove badly affected small leaves where practical; if treatment is needed, confirm the disease and use a product labeled for that plant.
Hold off on Skip homemade detergent or baking-soda sprays; they can injure leaves.
What to watch for
Photograph a marked leaf and check for new patches over the next several days.
Read more & check the sources
Related Guru Gardeners guide →Maryland Extension · Leaf spots on flowers ↗Minnesota Extension · Managing plant diseases ↗Your next steps
Leaf spots need a closer identification
Fungi, bacteria, weather, and other injuries can leave similar spots. Some dead centers drop out and resemble chewing.
Confirm the clues
- Photograph both sides of a leaf and the whole plant.
- Look for new spots, spreading lesions, or stem damage rather than judging old marks alone.
What to do now
- Keep irrigation near soil level and avoid handling wet foliage.
- Remove fallen diseased debris. Seek a species-specific diagnosis if lesions spread rapidly or stems are affected.
Hold off on Do not spray a fungicide until the problem is identified; it will not fix every cause of spotting.
What to watch for
Compare the same leaves in two to three days. Rapid spread or whole-plant collapse warrants prompt help.
Read more & check the sources
Related Guru Gardeners guide →Maryland Extension · Leaf spots on flowers ↗Minnesota Extension · Managing plant diseases ↗Your next steps
Look closely for plant-feeding mites
Fine webbing together with pale flecking can indicate spider mites. Ordinary spiders and other tiny arthropods are not the same problem.
Confirm the clues
- Tap a leaf over white paper and inspect moving specks with a magnifier.
- Look underneath several affected leaves for fine silk and mites.
What to do now
- Separate an affected houseplant while confirming the pest.
- For plants that tolerate it, rinse leaf undersides with water. Reinspect and use species-appropriate controls if mites remain.
Hold off on Do not assume a general insecticide controls mites; some treatments harm their predators.
What to watch for
Recheck leaf undersides within a few days. Old flecks remain, so look for live pests and fresh damage.
Read more & check the sources
Related Guru Gardeners guide →Maryland Extension · Mites in home gardens ↗Your next steps
Identify the insects before treating
Sticky residue, attached bumps, or cottony clusters can accompany aphids, scale insects, or mealybugs.
Confirm the clues
- Examine stem joints and both leaf surfaces with a magnifier.
- Take a sharp close-up; distinguish a pest from normal plant hairs or debris.
What to do now
- Separate affected houseplants and inspect nearby pots.
- Once identified, choose a control suited to the pest and plant; preserve beneficial insects outdoors.
Hold off on Avoid household detergent sprays and blanket pesticide applications.
What to watch for
Check the same growing tips again within a few days. Continued live pests require follow-up, not just removal of sticky residue.
Read more & check the sources
Related Guru Gardeners guide →Minnesota Extension · Insects on indoor plants ↗Your next steps
Slugs or snails may be feeding
Ragged holes plus slime trails support this possibility, especially when damage appears overnight.
Confirm the clues
- Inspect after dark and beneath nearby hiding places.
- Confirm fresh feeding rather than treating old holes.
What to do now
- Handpick confirmed slugs or snails with gloves.
- Reduce unnecessary damp hiding places beside seedlings; keep watering focused on roots.
Hold off on Do not scatter salt in the garden; it damages soil and plants.
What to watch for
Check vulnerable seedlings the following morning and repeat evening inspections if fresh damage continues.
Your next steps
Match the feeding insect to the damage
Seeing an insect feed is stronger evidence than finding an insect near a hole. Caterpillars and beetles need different controls.
Confirm the clues
- Photograph the animal and the leaf it is feeding on.
- Check whether a few holes are cosmetic or seedlings are losing substantial foliage.
What to do now
- Identify the feeder before removing or treating it; some are valued butterfly larvae.
- Use targeted protection or hand removal where appropriate for the identified pest and crop.
Hold off on Do not spray every insect on a damaged plant. Pollinators and predators may be nearby.
What to watch for
Mark or photograph a leaf and check for fresh loss over the next few days.
Read more & check the sources
Related Guru Gardeners guide →Minnesota Extension · Identify a garden insect ↗Your next steps
Neat cutouts may be leafcutter bees
Rounded pieces removed from leaf edges often come from solitary bees collecting nest material.
Confirm the clues
- Look for clean, circular or semicircular cuts.
- Confirm that the rest of the leaf and plant remain healthy.
What to do now
- Leave a healthy plant to grow; this damage is usually cosmetic.
- Keep pollinator habitat and observe the visitors if you can.
Hold off on No insecticide is needed for ordinary leafcutter-bee damage.
What to watch for
If holes become ragged or damage expands beyond this pattern, check for another cause.
Your next steps
Check whether the plant needs more light
Long gaps between leaves and leaning toward a window can suggest insufficient light.
Confirm the clues
- Compare the current position with the species’ light requirements.
- Check how much light reaches the leaves, including seasonal shade changes.
What to do now
- Move gradually toward suitable light or provide an appropriate grow light.
- Rotate a potted plant for balanced exposure and judge the newer growth.
Hold off on Do not shift a shade-acclimated plant straight into harsh sun.
What to watch for
Look for more compact new growth over the following weeks; stretched old stems will not shrink.
Read more & check the sources
Related Guru Gardeners guide →Minnesota Extension · Moving plants outdoors ↗Your next steps
Check whether a rest period is normal
Some plants grow little during short days, cool weather, or natural dormancy. Slow growth alone is not proof of a deficiency.
Confirm the clues
- Identify the plant and its normal active season.
- Confirm that stems are firm and there is no new discoloration, decay, or pest activity.
What to do now
- Match watering to actual moisture use.
- Keep suitable light and temperature; resume feeding according to growth and species needs.
Hold off on Do not force growth with extra water or fertilizer during dormancy.
What to watch for
Reassess if leaves deteriorate or the plant fails to resume growth in its usual season.
Read more & check the sources
Related Guru Gardeners guide →Iowa State Extension · Feeding during winter ↗Your next steps
Check how much room the roots have
A dense circling root mass plus rapid drying can mean a container has become too small. One root at a drainage hole is not enough evidence.
Confirm the clues
- Gently inspect the root ball when it can be removed without injury.
- Distinguish firm crowded roots from soft, decaying roots.
What to do now
- If the species needs repotting, choose a modestly larger pot with drainage and suitable fresh mix.
- Recheck moisture often afterward because the new mix may dry at a different rate.
Hold off on Do not jump to an oversized pot that stays wet around a small root ball.
What to watch for
Check establishment and new growth over the following weeks. Persistent wet-soil wilt needs a root-health check.
Read more & check the sources
Related Guru Gardeners guide →Maryland Extension · Potting and repotting ↗Your next steps
A closer look is the best next step
These observations do not yet separate the possible causes. Gather a little more evidence before changing several things at once.
Confirm the clues
- Check moisture near the roots, both leaf surfaces, and the stem base.
- Record the plant name, when symptoms began, and recent changes in light, weather, watering, or feeding.
What to do now
- Photograph the whole plant, an affected leaf on both sides, and a healthy leaf for comparison.
- Use a plant-specific Extension guide or ask a local plant clinic with those observations.
Hold off on Hold off on fertilizer and pesticides until there is a reason to use them.
What to watch for
Seek prompt help for rapid collapse, spreading stem decay, or several plants declining together.
Read more & check the sources
Related Guru Gardeners guide →Minnesota Extension · Managing plant diseases ↗Before you reach for a remedy
Three things worth checking.
Turn a leaf over.
Compare old and new growth. Look underneath leaves and along stems for insects, webbing, or fresh damage.
Think back a few days.
A move, cold night, feeding, or repotting can explain a sudden change. Record what happened and when.
When to get a closer diagnosis
Get prompt, plant-specific help for rapid collapse, spreading stem decay, or several plants declining together. A local Extension office or plant clinic can use the plant name, care history, and clear photos of healthy and affected tissue. This checker does not identify plants, certify crop safety, or diagnose every disease.
Guidance draws on University of Maryland Extension and University of Minnesota Extension. Relevant references appear with each care plan. Illustrations are simplified observation aids.