Common Problems
Start with what you see on the plant, or with the pest, disease or care task you want to understand.
Common Symptoms16
Plant StretchingWhole plant, stems
General Leaf YellowingLeaves
Cottony white fuzzLeaves, stems, fruits
Wilting leavesLeaves, stems
Brown leaf spotsLeaves
Leaf CurlingLeaves
Mold on soil surfaceSoil
Dry, brown leaf edgesLeaves
Brown Leaf TipsLeaves
Large black spotLeaves
Yellow Leaves with Green VeinsLeaves
Leaning plantWhole plant
Clean holes in leavesLeaves
Yellowing bottom leavesLeaves
Deformed or Twisted LeavesLeaves
Black residue (Sooty Mold)Leaves
Pests17
- AphidsSmall pear-shaped insects, often clustered on new growth.
- Weevils (Otiorhynchus)Nocturnal beetles that cut semi-circular notches in leaves.
- SpringtailsTiny white insects jumping on the surface of wet soil.
- Fungus Gnats (Sciarids)Small black insects flying around the pot and soil.
- Spider MitesTiny arachnids that spin fine webs under leaves.
- ThripsTiny insects leaving silver streaks and black dots on leaves.
- MealybugsWhite cottony clumps in leaf axils and on stems.
- LeafhoppersSmall jumping insects that leave fine white stippling on leaves.
- Longhorn BeetlesBeetles whose larvae bore tunnels inside the stems.
- Armored ScaleSmall, immobile waxy shells (1–3 mm) on stems and leaves.
- WhitefliesSwarms of small white insects that fly up when leaves are touched.
- Flea BeetlesSmall jumping beetles that riddle leaves with holes.
- Leaf MinersLarvae digging pale, winding tunnels inside the leaves.
- Lace BugsSmall flat insects with lace-like wings.
- Sawfly LarvaeFalse caterpillars that eat scallop shapes into leaf edges.
- Snails and SlugsNocturnal pests leaving shiny slime trails on leaves.
- Vine WeevilLeaves with notched edges and white larvae in the soil.
Diseases10
- Powdery MildewA white, powdery coating covering leaves and stems.
- Root RotThe plant wilts and yellows while the soil stays wet.
- AnthracnoseBrown or black spots, often sunken and bordered by a halo.
- Gray Mold (Botrytis)A soft gray rot covering flowers and fruit.
- Sooty MoldA black, soot-like deposit covering leaves.
- GallsAbnormal growths of various shapes on leaves, stems, or roots.
- RustPowdery orange pustules appearing on leaf undersides.
- Bacterial Angular Leaf SpotOily, angular spots confined by leaf veins.
- Shot Hole DiseaseSmall brown spots that fall out and leave clean holes in the leaves.
- Bacterial Soft RotStems become soft, translucent, and collapse at the base.
External Factors9
- Iron DeficiencyYellowing of young leaves while veins remain green.
- Nitrogen DeficiencyUniform yellowing of the oldest leaves first.
- Salt BuildupBrown leaf tips and a white crust on the soil.
- Low LightThe plant stretches, turns pale, and leans toward the window.
- OverwateringSoil stays soggy, suffocating roots and causing rot.
- Climate ShockSudden damage following extreme weather like frost, heatwaves, or wind.
- Water StressThe plant droops, and leaves turn yellow or brown.
- UnderwateringThe soil is dry and leaves are soft and drooping.
- Air too dry (low humidity)Ambient humidity too low for tropical plants.
Treatment Plans37
Increase light
Feeding with Balanced Fertilizer
Rinsing Foliage
Raise ambient humidity
Emergency Repotting for Drainage
Balancing Alkaline Soil
Cleaning Honeydew and Its Source
Deep Watering
Eliminate Slugs and Snails
Correcting Iron Deficiency
Rescue by Soaking
Eliminate Aphids
Eliminate Fungus Gnats
Eliminating Lace Bugs
Eliminate Mealybugs
Eliminate Sawfly Larvae
Eliminate Armored Scale Insects
Eliminate Spider Mites
Eliminate Whiteflies
Eradicate Thrips
Flushing Soil Salts
Installing an Insect Barrier
Leafhopper Action Plan
Observing and Managing Galls
Retaining Moisture with Mulch
Trapping and Identifying Pests
Sanitary Pruning for Longhorned Beetles
Refreshing the Potting Mix
Sanitation Pruning
Stop Bacterial Leaf Spot
Stop Leaf Miner Tunnels
Stop Leaf Spots
Treating Botrytis (Gray Mold)
Eliminating Powdery Mildew
Eliminating Rust Disease
Treating Waterlogged Soil
Protecting from Thermal Shock