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

Search by visible symptom

85 matching guides

Search and filter problems

Search checks problem names, descriptions, and summaries. Plant group uses the category saved on each problem; sorting uses the update date or problem name.

Houseplants

Boston Fern Brown Tips

Brown tips on a Boston fern usually mean water is not reaching the roots, which is a different problem from not watering enough…

Diagnosis + recovery

Houseplants

Boston Fern Yellow Fronds

Yellow fronds on a Boston fern usually point to a root-zone problem, but the right fix depends on whether the mix is wet, dry, or…

Diagnosis + recovery

Shrubs

Boxwood Blight

Boxwood blight becomes likely when brown leaf spots are followed by rapid leaf drop and narrow black streaks on young green stems…

Diagnosis + recovery

Shrubs

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…

Diagnosis + recovery

Shrubs

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…

Diagnosis + recovery

Houseplants

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…

Diagnosis + recovery