Boston Fern Brown Tips
Brown tips on a Boston fern are dead tissue with several possible causes. A dry root ball, persistently wet roots, drying air…
Plant Diagnosis
Plant Problems
Start with the symptom you can see. Compare likely causes before changing water, fertilizer, light, or treatment.
Triage First
Observe before you treat
A useful diagnosis starts with location, timing, and the pattern of damage.
1
Locate the damage
Check whether symptoms begin on old leaves, new growth, roots, or one side of the plant.
2
Check recent changes
Note weather, watering, repotting, feeding, pruning, and any new treatment.
3
Compare evidence
Look for insects, residue, soft tissue, dry edges, odor, and soil moisture.
Problem Library
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Boston Fern Yellow Fronds
Yellow fronds on a Boston fern can follow root stress, changing conditions, pests, or normal loss of older growth.
Boxwood Blight
Boxwood blight becomes likely when brown leaf spots are followed by rapid leaf drop and narrow black streaks on young green stems.
Boxwood Root Rot
Yellow or thinning boxwood foliage does not confirm root rot. Compare fine roots and crown tissue, map where water collects, and rule…
Boxwood Winter Bronzing
Copper or orange winter color on boxwood can be a temporary response from living foliage or a sign that leaves, buds, and twigs have…
Bromeliad Brown Tips
Dry brown tips on a bromeliad usually point to moisture loss, accumulated salts, or an exposure problem while the center of the…
After Diagnosis
Help the plant recover
Water
Correct moisture without swinging too far
Use the plant and soil condition to set the next watering.
PestsChoose the least disruptive control
Match treatment to a confirmed pest and its life stage.
NutritionFeed only when growth can use it
Rule out root and moisture problems before adding fertilizer.