My Houseplant is Looking Unhealthy. How can I Determine what is Wrong with it?

Using a magnifying glass, do you see any small insects on either the plant's leaves, stem or flower buds?

Do you see a white powdery growth on the upper surface of leaves, stems or flowers?

Have the leaves or flowers of your plant developed a white growth, which later turned dark gray?

Can you see mottled foliage or ring-spots on your houseplants' leaves?

Have the younger leaves on your plant turned yellow but the veins have remained green?

Have the older leaves slowly turned yellow from the margins to the center?

Have the leaves or other plant tissues turned brown on the side of the plant that faces the sun?

Have the leaves of your plant turned pale green and does the plant lean or stretch toward the source of light?

Have the undersides of the leaves developed blister-like tissue damage?

Your plant is suffering from insect infestation. To get rid of the bugs, first try using natural pest control methods like neem oil, horticultural oil or rubbing alcohol. If that fails, use synthetic insecticide but make sure to isolate your plant for some time, as pesticides can be toxic to humans and pets.

Your plant is suffering from a fungal disease called powdery mildew. It usually affects houseplants in cold and damp places. To treat your plant, prune off the affected foliage and increase air circulation around the plant.

Your plant is suffering from a fungal disease called a grey mold or Botrytis blight. It usually affects houseplants in damp places and can be transferred by wind and water. To treat your plant, prune off affected foliage and increase air circulation around the plants.

Your plant is suffering from a viral infection. Viruses circulate internally in plants so there is no effective way of curing the plant. The best course of action is to discard the affected plant as it can infect more plants around it.

Your plant is suffering from iron deficiency. This condition occurs most often when a plant that needs more acidic soil is placed in alkaline soil. For fast, temporary results use foliar feeding with iron sulfate or soluble organic iron complexes. For long-term results, adjust the acidity of the soil by adding sulfur, aluminum sulfate, or iron sulfate to the soil.

Your plant is suffering from nitrogen deficiency. Mix nitrogen in the plant's fertilzer and your plant should recover.

Your plant has suffered sunburn. Move your plant away from direct sunlight and trim off the damaged tissue.

Your plant is suffering from a light deficiency. Place it on a spot with more sunlight.

Your plant is suffering from oedema. Oedema is the result of erratic watering which causes water pressure to build up in foliage cells and make them burst. Water your plant more regularly.

Symptoms like wilting foliage, leaves and flower drop, slight discoloration and dry leaves can be caused by several conditions like too much or too little water, stressing due to frequent location changes, etc. Make sure you know exactly what kind of environmental conditions (water, lighting, temperature, etc.) your plant needs and try to make sure all those conditions are met.