What's Wrong With My Plant?
Describe your plant's symptoms below and we'll identify the problem — whether it's a watering issue, pest infestation, disease, or nutrient deficiency — with specific treatment steps.
Step 1
What part of your plant is affected?
Select the area where you first noticed something wrong. This helps us narrow down the most likely cause.
Problems this tool diagnoses
Our diagnosis tool covers the most common houseplant issues. Select your symptom above, or browse the full list below.
Leaf problems
- – Yellow leaves (overwatering, underwatering, nutrient deficiency, or natural aging)
- – Brown leaf tips (low humidity, salt buildup, or overfertilization)
- – Brown edges (underwatering or low humidity)
- – Leaf spots — black, brown, yellow, or white (fungal infection, bacterial disease, or pest damage)
- – Wilting or drooping (overwatering, underwatering, root rot, or temperature stress)
- – Curling leaves (underwatering, low humidity, heat stress, or nitrogen toxicity)
- – Sticky residue on leaves (aphids, mealybugs, or scale insects)
Pest identification
- – Tiny flying insects near soil (fungus gnats)
- – Fine webbing on leaves with stippled damage (spider mites)
- – Small green or black clusters on stems (aphids)
- – White cottony masses in leaf joints (mealybugs)
- – Brown bumps that don't move (scale insects)
- – Tiny white flying insects (whiteflies)
- – Narrow elongated insects on leaves (thrips)
Root & stem issues
- – Brown mushy roots (root rot from overwatering or poor drainage)
- – Soft mushy stems (stem rot or root rot spreading upward)
- – Black stems (fungal infection)
- – Roots circling the pot (root bound — needs repotting)
- – Leggy stretched growth (insufficient light)
Whole plant symptoms
- – Drooping despite watering (root rot — roots can't absorb water)
- – Rapid leaf drop (environmental stress, temperature change, or relocation shock)
- – No new growth (insufficient light, nutrients, or root bound)
- – Plant leaning to one side (light seeking — rotate regularly)
Common questions
Why are my plant's leaves turning yellow?▼
Yellow leaves are most commonly caused by overwatering, underwatering, or nutrient deficiency. If the bottom leaves are yellowing and the soil is soggy, reduce watering and check for root rot. If the soil is dry, water more frequently. Yellowing between veins while veins stay green usually indicates iron deficiency.
How do I know if I'm overwatering my plant?▼
Signs of overwatering include yellowing lower leaves, mushy stems, soggy soil that stays wet for days, fungus gnats flying near the soil, and a musty smell from the pot. In severe cases, roots turn brown and mushy (root rot). Always check soil moisture before watering — most houseplants prefer the top inch to dry out between waterings.
What are the tiny flying bugs in my plant's soil?▼
Small flies hovering near your plant's soil are almost certainly fungus gnats. They lay eggs in moist topsoil and their larvae feed on organic matter and fine roots. To eliminate them: let the soil dry out between waterings, use sticky traps, apply a hydrogen peroxide drench (1 part 3% peroxide to 4 parts water), or use BTI (Mosquito Bits) as a soil soak.
How do I identify spider mites on my plants?▼
Spider mites are tiny (smaller than a pinhead) and hard to see with the naked eye. Look for fine webbing on the undersides of leaves and between stems, tiny dots moving on leaf surfaces, and stippled or speckled damage on leaves that looks like tiny yellow or white dots. Hold a white piece of paper under a leaf and tap — if tiny specks fall and move, you have spider mites.
Why are the tips of my plant's leaves turning brown?▼
Brown leaf tips are typically caused by low humidity, inconsistent watering, salt or mineral buildup in the soil (often from tap water or overfertilizing), or fluoride sensitivity. Increase humidity around the plant, water with filtered water, flush the soil periodically, and trim brown tips with clean scissors.
Can I save a plant with root rot?▼
Yes, if caught early. Remove the plant from its pot, rinse the roots, and cut away all brown mushy roots with sterile scissors — healthy roots are white or tan and firm. Repot in fresh well-draining soil in a clean pot with drainage holes. Water sparingly until new growth appears. Severe cases where most roots are gone are harder to save but you can try propagating healthy cuttings.
Why is my plant wilting even though the soil is wet?▼
A plant wilting in wet soil is a classic sign of root rot. The roots have been damaged by overwatering and can no longer absorb water, so the plant wilts despite having plenty of moisture available. Stop watering immediately, check the roots for mushiness, and repot in fresh dry soil if root rot is confirmed.