Start with the symptom, then jump into matching HortChat articles and reader threads.
Yellow leaves
- Check whether the soil stays wet for days after watering.
- Look under leaves and along stems for scale, mites, aphids, or mealybugs.
Wilting or drooping
- Feel the root ball, not just the top inch of soil.
- Move heat-stressed containers out of afternoon sun while they recover.
Not blooming
- Confirm the plant gets enough direct light for flower production.
- Avoid high-nitrogen feeding when a plant is making leaves but no flowers.
Brown tips or edges
- Check for dry indoor air, salt buildup, underwatering, or hot wind exposure.
- Flush container soil if fertilizer salts have built up.
Insects and pests
- Identify the pest before spraying; treatment depends on the insect.
- Inspect new plants before placing them near the rest of your collection.
Overwintering
- Know whether the plant needs active indoor growth or cool dormancy.
- Reduce watering when growth slows.
Deer damage
- Protect new plantings first; tender growth is usually most tempting.
- Use repellents before feeding patterns are established.
Watering problems
- Water by soil moisture and plant size, not by the calendar alone.
- Make sure containers drain freely.