How to Troubleshoot House-Plant Problems

By Tracy Morris, eHow Contributor

When your house plant starts to turn yellow, wither and drop leaves and flowers, the trouble could be anything from over-watering to under-watering. Diagnosing house-plant troubles is a little like diagnosing an illness. You have to know what your patient needs. However, unlike human beings, there are thousands of species of houseplants. Each one has different needs. The first step is to know everything there is to know about your house plant.

Instructions

1. • 1
     Identify your plant by looking thorough a plant guide book or on the Internet for a description of your plant.
   • 2
     Write down the plant's requirements, including the type of soil that the plant needs to be planted in, light requirements that the plant needs to grow strong, the amount of water that the plant needs to thrive and the types of fertilizer that the plant requires.
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   • 3
     Check these requirements against the conditions that you have provided for your plant. If the plant's growth seems spindly and the plant grows bent toward the light source, the plant may not receive enough light. Plants with crisp leaves may not be receiving adequate water, while plants with soft brown growth may receive too much water. If the tips of the plant's leaves are brown, it may be receiving too much fertilizer.
   • 4
     Check the pot itself for soil condition. If the soil is incorrect for the plant, this may cause the plant to receive too little or too much water. If the plant is root-bound, it may not receive enough water and may need to be repotted.
   • 5
     Examine the plant for unusual discoloration or mildew on its foliage; it may have contracted a plant pathogen. Check your plant's description for any pathogens that it is susceptible to. You can also check plant guidebooks for photos or drawings of common plant pathogens such as leaf gall, leaf spot or powdery mildew.
   • 6
     Take photos of your plant for ease of identification. Use the macro setting on your camera for detailed photos.
   • 7
     E-mail or call your local county extension service agent or check with a plant-oriented message board for a diagnosis. You can send your digital picturesfor an easy identification.