House Plant – Leaf problems + Causes + Solutions
As a plant lover, we spend a considerable amount of time carefully looking after our house plants (okay, some do slip through the cracks and don’t always survive!) So we would rather find a solution rather than just giving up on our beloved plant (I’m sure you feel the same way!). I’m no plant Doctor but I have done a LOT of reading and research into plants. We thought it would be helpful if we pulled together a table where you can find your plants leaf problem- a likely cause and a solution to try. This table is just about leaf problems for house plants (we will be adding more plant problems soon!). Reach out to us with other plant issues you would like to find out more about.
Here is our quick reference guide for common leaf problems for your house plants when they appear sick, diseased, have an insect/ pest problem, spots on their leaves, mould or leaf rot.
| PLANT PROBLEM | LIKELY CAUSE | SOLUTION |
| Yellowing leaves, one or two lower leaves yellow & die | Natural process particularly with caney plants | Cleanly trim off dead foliage |
| Leaves yellowing with brown or dead tips | Soil too dry | Water thoroughly whenever surface soil dries out |
| Leaves begin yellowing, then fall off | May be due to relatively dark, warm conditions, such as a warm room where blinds are drawn by day | Improve light |
| Lower leaves yellowing, remainder paler than normal green | May be due to lack of feeding | Leach soil, then saturate with complete water-soluble fertiliser |
| Yellowing mainly of new growth | Due to alkaline (limey) soil or hard water, especially when the plant is watered from the bottom | Leach soil thoroughly, then dissolve 1 heaped teaspoon of iron sulphate in about 2L of water & slowly pour through soil. If iron sulphate is not available, use 2 teaspoons of vinegar to the same amount of water |
| Several lower leaves yellowing, others inclined to sag; stem usually dark, & soil with mossy scum on surface | Too much water | Scratch off surface crust to aerate, then let surface soil dry out |
| Leaves with areas gradually paling into yellow or brown, particularly on side nearest light | Light too intense or sun scorch | Either the plant needs to be gradually conditioned to strong light or is one needing more diffused light. |
| OTHER LEAF PROBLEMS | ||
| Brown or dead tips or margins of leaves | Atmosphere too dry | Trim off brown areas so that natural leaf shape is retained. Increase humidity as suggested. |
| Leaves drawn & thin | Temperature too high & soil too moist for the amount of light available | Move to brighter indirect light |
| Young growth limp | Usually soil too dry but over-wetness can cause the same symptom | If soil is too dry (give plant a good soak); if too wet – allow to dry out, but also check plant is not sitting in a pool of water of outer pot. |
