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Sill & Soil

Houseplant care that works in real homes

Troubleshooting

Yellow leaves, pests, root rot and what each symptom really means.

A yellow leaf or a cloud of tiny flies rarely means only one thing. This section helps you read symptoms in context, narrow down the likely causes and choose a fix that addresses the problem instead of the sign. It covers discolored leaves, drooping, pests, root rot and the slow decline that often follows a change in light, water or season.

If leaves are changing color, start with why houseplant leaves turn yellow; for flying pests around the soil, see getting rid of fungus gnats. Change one thing at a time so you can tell what worked, and check the roots and soil before reaching for any treatment.