Especially during this time of the year, both people and their plants are prone to looking poor, feeling under the weather, and sometimes even suffering various illnesses.  Remember that this is just a first aid, first defense guideline.  There could be a host of other reasons, but these are the most likely of culprits for winter time plant woes.  Here are my favorite plant winter time blues remedies:

House Plant Remedy Cure-Alls

Symptom: (What Does It Look Like?)

• Yellowing leaves
• Soft stems
• Wilted leaves
• Dropping leaves

 Cause: (How Did It Happen?)

 Too Much Water!

•  Too much water

 Cure: (What Can I Do?)

•  Allow plant to dry out
• Trim off yellow leaves
• If possible, put outdoors in shade until revival

Symptom: (What Does It Look Like?)

• Lower leaves drop off
• Plants have no luster
• Not growing well
• Leaves dry and cracking

Cause: (How did it happen?)

•  Not enough humidity

Cure: (What can I do?)

• Group plants
• Mist frequently
• Set on dry wells

Symptom (What Does It Look Like?):

• Plant droops
• Doesn’t grow
• Lower leaves yellow
• Foliage dull

Cause (How Did It Happen?):

• Not enough water

Cure (What Can I Do?):

• Immerse in warm water 30 seconds (once only)
• Increase frequency of watering or increase amount of water (but not both nor too much)

Symptom: (What Does It Look Like?)

•  Plant usually dies
• Or new growth in blackened and mis-shaped
• Has tummy ache

Cause: (How Did It Happen?)

• Overfed

Cure: (What Can I Do?)

• One “flushing” of pot in warm water for 30 seconds

Symptom: (What Does It Look Like?)

• Plant lacks luster
• Color fades
• Doesn’t grow
• Leaves yellowing
• Leaves may turn brown on tips
• Getting small and smaller

 Cause: (How Did It Happen?) 

•    Underfed 

 Cure: (What Can I Do?)

•  Begin regular regime of fertilization
• Start with half-strength for first feeding
• For brown tips: Feed with Iron (plant has tired blood)

Symptom: (What Does It Look Like?):

•  Plant wilts frequently
• Fades or burns

Cause: (How Did It Happen?):

• Too much light

Cure: (What Can I Do?)

• Move into medium light situation 

Symptom: (What Does It Look Like?) 

• Leaves fall off
• Plant gets leggy
• Droops
• The Worst! 

Cause: (How Did It Happen?) 

• Not enough light 

Cure: (What Can I Do?) 

• Move into medium light.  Three days later move into good light 

Symptom: (What Does It Look Like?) 

• Black spots on leaves (plant has a cold) 

Cause: (How Did It Happen?): 

• Draft (or room may bee too cold)
• Cure: (What Can I Do?)
• Move plant out of draft
• Or move plant to warmer spot 

Symptom: (What Does It Look Like?) 

• White fuzz on leaves
• White fuzz on stem or soil 

Cause: (How Did It Happen?) 

• Mealybug 

Cure: (What Can I Do?) 

• Early observation.
• Immediately treatment by using a Q-tip or small paintbrush dipped in rubbing alcohol to each area infected.
• Follow up with a 2nd treatment a few days later with 1/2 isopropyl alcohol and one half water solution
• Continue to apply once a week until cured

Symptom: (What Does It Look Like?) 

• Web like matter on undersides of leaves
• Visual proof: A stranger on your plant 

Cause: (How Did It Happen?) 

• Red spider or other pests 

Cure: (What Can I Do?) 

• Patience.  
• Prayer
• First try knocking them out with water sprays
• 2nd line of defense:  Safer’s brand miticide (and other insecticidal soaps), Orthene, Kelthane or Isotox all work depending on your level of comfort with the toxicity

If You’d Like To Know More!

Mealy Bugs

Spider Mites

Under Fed Plants

Over Watered Plants

When To Water Indoor Plants

Plants and Light