Plants don’t speak our language (sadly), but they do communicate when their needs aren’t being met through their symptoms (yellowing leaves, leaves falling off, etc.). While certain plant diseases can only be diagnosed in a lab, most of the time, we can help our plants recover by altering how we care for them. This involves troubleshooting, which for plants means understanding the environmental conditions they need and mimicking their natural habitat in our homes.

Houseplant Troubleshooting Checklist

Pests

Check for pests. Here’s how to identify if your plant has pests and how to get rid of them.

Light

Each plant has a preferred balance of light and water. Misaligned conditions often cause most plant issues. Here’s how to troubleshoot light for your plant:

1. Determine your plant’s lighting preferences, either by referring to your Care Kit or by Googling:

DIRECT LIGHT: Your plant should literally sit in a sunbeam for the majority of the day, like a happy cat. This is similar to a Desert Environment.

BRIGHT INDIRECT LIGHT: Your plant should be as close as possible to a light source without being directly in a sunbeam. This is similar to a Rainforest Environment.

MEDIUM LIGHT: Your plant should be around the middle of the 5-foot-from-light-source range. This one is really hard to get right, so don’t worry if you need to make adjustments. This is similar to a Forest Floor Environment.

LOW LIGHT: Your plant is just beyond 5 feet from its light source. Very few houseplants prefer a low light environment, and this is mainly used to describe plants that are resilient enough to survive with lower levels of light than other species.

2. Perform the Shadow Test:   

The Shadow Test is the easiest way to assess your plant's approximate light levels. You'll use a blank white sheet of paper and your hand to observe the type of shadow your plant’s leaves cast to evaluate light intensity. Lighting is often the trickiest part of plant care, so don’t be hard on yourself if you need to make several adjustments.

Learn more about your plant’s specific light needs on pages 6–7 of your Care Kit.

Water

How much a plant prefers its soil to dry out between waterings makes each unique. Some plants like bone-dry soil, while others prefer only the top layer to dry out. However, all plants want their soil to be fully saturated during watering.

1. Understand your plant’s preferences:

3. Saturate the soil fully each time. Here’s how to do it. 

Soil

Your plant’s potting mix is the foundation of its health. Roots, often overlooked because they’re hidden, are arguably the most critical part of plant care.

1. Use the correct potting mix

   - Ensure it’s labeled for indoor plants. [See our recommendations here.]

2. Repot annually:

   - If not, at least refresh the top layer of soil each year.

3. Ensure proper drainage:

   - Every pot needs a drainage hole. Repot if necessary.

Fertilizer

Many blogs attribute plant issues to fertilizer burn. While over-fertilizing can happen, it’s unlikely if you follow package instructions.

1. Use a liquid fertilizer, follow the package instructions, and fertilize only during active growth periods.

Refer to your Care Kit for your plant’s specific fertilizer instructions.

Temperature

Avoid placing plants in areas with significant drafts or temperature changes, such as near exterior doors or heating/AC vents. Keep them at least 6 feet away from these spots, especially in cold climates.

Humidity

Humidity is to plants what moisturizer is to humans: magical. Proper humidity supports every aspect of plant health.

1. Recognize the signs

  - Crispy leaf edges often indicate low humidity.

2. Myth-busting misting:

  - Misting does not meaningfully increase humidity; it just makes the plant wet. Relative humidity in the air is what matters.

3. Solutions to raise humidity

  - Group plants together: This naturally increases relative humidity.

  - Use a humidifier The most reliable way to raise humidity levels.