What's Wrong with My Houseplant?
How to identify problems by looking at your plant’s leaves.
Houseplants can't talk to tell us how they're feeling (disappointing, I know), but one way we can listen to them is by paying close attention to their leaves, soil, and roots. When leaves change, we can make sense of their health and growth. Thankfully, plants have little ways of showing when they're struggling, and we've listed as many as we could here! For each, we'll cover what these issues could look like, what could've caused it, and how you can respond.
Real talk - we're not here to offer quick fixes like rubbing the leaves with lemon juice or watering them with banana water. Realistically, most of these 'plant hacks' don't work, and they don't get to the root source of the problem. These tips are based on our own experience, but all plants and homes are different. Be mindful when you’re changing up your plants’ routines. Following these signals, we hope you can better listen to your houseplants!
Q: Why are my plant’s leaves turning yellow?
Cause: Overwatering / Root Rot / Natural
Most plant parents are likely to see a yellow leaf here and there. Usually, yellowing leaves can indicate a watering issue. However, some plants will naturally shed their lower leaves as they mature (Alocasia for example). So they don't always indicate something is wrong!
Action: First, check the soil. Has it been damp for a while? Your plant may not be getting enough breathing time in between waterings, which could lead to root rot down the line.
Try adjusting your watering schedule to allow more time between waterings, make sure the soil has dried a little between watering, and always make sure your plant has proper drainage. Yellowing can also be caused by underwatering - so be sure to check the soil before you come to a final diagnosis!
Q: Why does my plant have brown tips?
Cause: Underwatering / Low-humidity / Tap Water
Dry/brown edges could indicate your plant isn’t getting enough water. This could be because it’s not getting watered often enough, or not getting enough water when you do. As long as the water can drain out from the bottom of the pot, you can give your plant a real drench (no need for tablespoons or pipettes). If the soil is drying very quickly, it could be that the soil needs replacing. Some soil mixes can get compacted over time, meaning no water is getting through to the roots!
Brown edges can also indicate your plant is struggling with the humidity or minerals in your tap water. Plants like Calathea and other jungle plants thrive in humid environments, and dry air and tap water can cause them to develop brown edges.
Action: Adjust your watering schedule if you think it’s being underwatered. Refresh the soil if it’s compacted/drying too quickly. If you think it’s a humidity issue, try moving your plant to the bathroom, kitchen, or room with a humidifier. You can also try watering your plants with rainwater and see if it makes a difference. Once again, browning can also appear on an overwatered plant, so be careful when changing your care!
Q: Why is my plant drooping?
Cause: Underwatering / Overwatering / Stress
Another common sign you’ll see in houseplants is drooping leaves. Plants like Peace Lilies are famous for their communication - they droop when they need water (very dramatically too). Not all plants do this so it’s important to do a little research on your plant before you consider why its leaves have changed. Other stressors can also cause your plant to react, like a sudden change in temperature, poor drainage, or if it was recently repotted. If your leaves are tight and curling, this could be another sign to adjust your watering schedule. E.g. the leaves on a Ctenanthe or Maranta will curl inwards when thirsty or in a dry/drafty spot.
Action: Investigate whether your plant is under or overwatered, and adjust your watering pattern accordingly. Keep your houseplant away from radiators, drafty spots, or intense direct sun. If only the lower leaves are limp/drooping, this could be a sign it needs a bigger pot / some fresh soil.
Q: Why does my plant have yellow and brown spots?
Cause: Fungal / Overwatering / Stress
Growing brown spots, especially those with a yellow halo, usually indicate a bacterial or fungal issue with your plant. Typically caused by the stress of overwatering and root rot, your plant can develop what is also known as anthracnose. These bullseye spots are a sure sign your plant needs help!
Action: First, isolate your plant to ensure the disease doesn’t spread to your other plants. Cut off the affected leaves to further avoid the spread, and use a fungicide spray to treat any remaining leaves, stems, and roots. Allow the soil to dry out before watering again. If you think your plant may be deeply overwatered or sat in very soggy soil - it may be best to repot your plant into a chunkier soil mix. When repotting, you can also remove any dead or rotting roots. These are usually black and slimy (ew….!) so easy to spot.
Q: Why is my plant losing its colour?
Cause: Insufficient light / Dust / Sunburn
If you think your plant is losing its colour, the most common cause is lack of sunlight. There are lots of houseplants that can handle a shady spot, but too little light will cause your plant to lose chlorophyll and pigment. Another simple cause is that your plant needs dusting. Dust acts as a barrier to your plant absorbing light, so dust regularly to keep them thriving. If the leaf has turned pale and it’s in a spot that gets direct sun, your plant might have sunburn. Most houseplants are native to semi-shaded habitats, and direct sun can be too harsh for their delicate leaves!
Action: Try moving your plant to a spot that gets either more or less light (depending on where it currently sits). In a place with bright but indirect light, you should see healthy colour returning to your plant. If you have a sunburnt leaf, move your plant away from direct sun and chop off the affected leaf.
If you don’t already, add dusting to your plant care schedule. The easiest way to dust larger or dense plants is to pop them in the shower when you water them - giving them a good spray. Just make sure the water isn’t hot! Alternatively, use a microfibre cloth to wipe down the leaves and keep them shining and pest-free.
Q: Why do my plant’s leaves have tiny dots on it?
Cause: Pests
When you look closely, you might find that these tiny white, black, or fluffy spots have tiny legs (eek!). Pests on a houseplant are no joke, so you should act immediately when you see any signs of pests. Don’t panic though, there are ways to eliminate your infestation! Common pests include Aphids, Scale, Mealybugs, Fungus Gnats, Whitefly, and Spider Mites.
Action: First, immediately isolate your plant away from our other plants to prevent any spreading. For any plants close to the infected plant, check them over too. Pests will continue to spread and breed unless they are eliminated, so work your way over each leaf to remove all those pesky critters. The best way to do this is with tissue and a pest-killing spray. You can also make a homemade remedy of washing up liquid and water. Dispose of all tissues asap! After treating your plant, rinse it outside or in the shower as an extra precaution.
Over the next few days, keep your plant isolated and check on it daily. Pests love tight, dark spaces, and especially love to hide in ridges and inside new growth, so use a cotton bud on those hard-to-reach areas! If a particular leaf or new growth point seems to be the source of the pests, it may be best to remove that leaf or stem completely to help save the rest of the plant. Some pests also like to lay their eggs in damp soil, so consider repotting your plant if you notice anything unusual there too!
bonus q’s
Why are the variegated leaves on my plant turning brown?
Browning is a common issue with variegated plants, so you’re not alone! Variegation is caused by a mutation in the plant’s genes that affects chlorophyll production. Meaning any variegated leaves will be more sensitive to drought or lower light. Since the whites of their leaves lack chlorophyll, they will likely turn brown over time. This is why variegated leaves that are majority green will typically last longer than a fully white leaf. A little browning here and there is perfectly normal for a variegated houseplant, but you can try moving your plant to a more humid and better-lit spot to keep it looking its best!
Do I have to remove dying leaves?
Technically, no! If the leaf has pests or a fungal issue, then removing the leaf can be essential to keeping your plant healthy. However, for yellowing/browning leaves, it's purely an aesthetic reason whether you'd like to remove the leaf early. Eventually, this leaf may fall off by itself. When you have a yellowing or browning leaf, there's unfortunately no way to get that leaf to turn green again. Often, the best course of action is to remove the dying leaf and allow your plant to focus on growing new, healthy leaves.
Why is my plant growing a leaf that’s a different colour / size?
New leaves will typically be more delicate and a different colour when young. Usually, they are a brighter, lighter colour than their more mature leaves, but they will continue to grow and darken as they mature. In plants like Philodendron ‘Red Sun’, their new leaves are bright red and slowly turn green as they age! New leaves are also usually smaller than their established leaves, but often they will continue to grow to a mature size with time. If all of your plant’s new growth is small and not developing, then your plant might need repotting into a bigger pot with fresh soil and more space to grow. If your plant’s new leaf is yellow or brown, then this may be a sign that your plant is struggling with one of the above issues. New growth is more delicate, so they will often grow with defects when the main plant is suffering.
All plant parents are bound to encounter some of these issues on their plant journey, so try not to panic if you notice something wrong. Houseplants can be very resilient and easily bounce back when small problems are fixed. With longer periods of water issues, poor lighting, or pests, it’s also important to know when to let go. There’s no shame in letting go of a plant that is causing you too much stress or might harm your other plants. Remember, owning houseplants should be fun and relaxing.