Leaf Issues

Yellowing Leaves

Symptoms: Leaves turn yellow starting from older foliage, eventually affecting entire plant if untreated. May begin with pale green before progressing to bright yellow. Common Causes:

• Overwatering causing root suffocation and nutrient lockout
• Nitrogen deficiency from depleted soil or insufficient fertilization
• Natural aging of lower leaves (normal if limited to bottom foliage)

Solutions:

• Check soil moisture - if soggy, reduce watering frequency and ensure proper drainage
• Apply balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to 1/4 strength every 2 weeks during growing season
• Remove yellowed leaves to redirect energy to healthy growth

Prevention: Maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging. Use well-draining potting mix and fertilize regularly during spring/summer.

Brown/Crispy Leaves

Symptoms: Leaf edges turn brown and crispy, progressing inward. Leaves may curl and become papery. Pattern veins may lose their vibrant color. Common Causes:

• Low humidity (below 50%) causing moisture loss
• Fluoride/chlorine in tap water burning sensitive foliage
• Direct sunlight exposure causing leaf scorch

Solutions:

• Increase humidity to 60-80% using humidifier, pebble tray, or grouping plants
• Switch to filtered, distilled, or rainwater for watering
• Move plant away from direct sun to bright, indirect light location

Prevention: Maintain humidity above 60%, use appropriate water, and provide filtered light only. Mist regularly or use humidity dome.

Drooping/Wilting

Symptoms: Leaves droop dramatically despite adequate soil moisture. Plant appears limp and lifeless. Stems may bend downward. Common Causes:

• Underwatering - Fittonias are drama queens and wilt quickly when dry
• Temperature shock from cold drafts or sudden changes
• Root problems preventing water uptake

Solutions:

• If soil is dry, water immediately - plant should perk up within hours
• Move away from air conditioning vents, drafty windows, or heat sources
• Check roots for rot or bound conditions and repot if necessary

Prevention: Keep soil consistently moist (not wet), maintain stable temperatures 65-80°F, and protect from drafts.

Leaf Drop

Symptoms: Leaves fall off plant, often starting with lower foliage. May drop while still green or after yellowing. Common Causes:

• Extreme temperature fluctuations or cold exposure below 60°F
• Severe underwatering causing stress response
• Transplant shock after repotting

Solutions:

• Stabilize temperature between 65-80°F and avoid sudden changes
• Resume proper watering schedule if plant was allowed to dry out
• For transplant shock, maintain high humidity and consistent care

Prevention: Keep temperatures stable, never let soil dry completely, and minimize root disturbance when repotting.

Growth Issues

Stunted Growth

Symptoms: Plant stops producing new leaves, existing leaves remain small. Overall plant size doesn't increase over months. Common Causes:

• Pot-bound roots with no room for expansion
• Insufficient light preventing photosynthesis
• Nutrient depletion in old potting soil

Solutions:

• Repot into container 1-2 inches larger with fresh potting mix
• Move to brighter location with filtered light
• Begin regular fertilization schedule with diluted houseplant food

Prevention: Repot annually in spring, provide adequate bright indirect light, and maintain regular feeding schedule.

Leggy/Stretching Growth

Symptoms: Long stems with sparse foliage, increased spacing between leaves. Plant loses compact, bushy appearance. Common Causes:

• Insufficient light causing plant to stretch toward light source
• Lack of pruning allowing uncontrolled growth
• Natural growth pattern without pinching

Solutions:

• Move to brighter location or supplement with grow light
• Pinch growing tips to encourage branching and bushiness
• Propagate leggy stems and restart for compact growth

Prevention: Provide consistent bright, indirect light and pinch regularly to maintain shape. Rotate plant weekly for even growth.

Pest Problems

Spider Mites

Identification: Tiny red or brown specks on leaf undersides, fine webbing between leaves Damage Signs: Stippled, yellowing leaves with tiny pale spots. Webbing in severe infestations. Treatment:

• Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil solution weekly
• Wipe leaves with damp cloth to remove mites and webs
• Isolate infected plant to prevent spread Prevention: Maintain high humidity (mites prefer dry conditions), inspect regularly, and quarantine new plants.

Mealybugs

Identification: White, cotton-like clusters in leaf joints and stem crevices Damage Signs: Sticky honeydew on leaves, yellowing, stunted growth Treatment:

• Dab individual bugs with alcohol-soaked cotton swab
• Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 5-7 days
• Remove heavily infested leaves and dispose in sealed bag Prevention: Inspect new plants before introducing, maintain good air circulation, avoid overwatering.

Fungus Gnats

Identification: Small black flies hovering around soil, white larvae in potting mix Damage Signs: Adults are nuisance, larvae may damage roots causing wilting Treatment:

• Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings to disrupt lifecycle
• Apply mosquito dunks or beneficial nematodes to soil
• Use yellow sticky traps to catch adult gnats Prevention: Avoid overwatering, use well-draining soil, cover soil with sand layer to prevent egg laying.

Disease Issues

Leaf Spot Disease

Symptoms: Brown or black spots with yellow halos on leaves, spots may merge Causes: Fungal or bacterial infection from overhead watering and poor air circulation Treatment:

• Remove affected leaves immediately and dispose in trash
• Apply fungicide specifically for houseplants
• Improve air circulation with fan on low setting Prevention: Water at soil level, avoid wetting foliage, ensure good ventilation, and don't overcrowd plants.

Powdery Mildew

Symptoms: White, powdery coating on leaf surfaces, may cause leaf distortion Causes: High humidity combined with poor air circulation, overcrowding Treatment:

• Spray with baking soda solution (1 tsp per quart water)
• Apply neem oil or horticultural oil weekly
• Remove severely affected leaves Prevention: Maintain air movement, avoid overcrowding, water early in day so foliage dries quickly.

Root Problems

Root Rot

Symptoms: Yellowing leaves despite moist soil, musty smell from soil, plant wilts and doesn't recover after watering Identification: Remove from pot - roots are brown/black, mushy, and smell bad instead of white and firm Treatment:

• Remove plant from pot and wash away all soil
• Cut away all brown, mushy roots with sterile scissors
• Repot in fresh, sterile potting mix and clean pot Prevention: Use well-draining soil, ensure pots have drainage holes, water only when top inch of soil is dry, avoid oversized pots.

Root Bound

Symptoms: Roots circling pot bottom, growing through drainage holes, water runs straight through pot Identification: Lift plant from pot - root ball holds shape, roots densely packed with little soil visible Treatment:

• Repot in spring into pot 1-2 inches larger diameter
• Gently tease apart circling roots before repotting
• Trim excessively long roots if necessary Prevention: Repot annually or when roots emerge from drainage holes, choose appropriate pot size for plant.

Environmental Stress

Temperature Shock

Symptoms: Sudden leaf drop, wilting, blackened foliage after cold exposure Causes: Exposure to temperatures below 60°F, drafts from doors/windows, air conditioning Treatment: Move to stable temperature area, remove damaged foliage, maintain consistent warmth Prevention: Keep away from exterior doors, AC vents, and drafty windows. Maintain 65-80°F range year-round.

Humidity Issues

Low Humidity Symptoms: Crispy leaf edges, lack of new growth, dull leaf colors High Humidity Symptoms: Fungal issues, soft stems, leaf spot diseases Solutions: Use humidifier for consistent 60-80% humidity, group plants together, use pebble trays Prevention: Monitor with hygrometer, ensure air circulation with high humidity, adjust seasonally.

Light Stress

Too Much Light: Bleached, pale leaves, crispy patches, loss of vibrant vein coloring Too Little Light: Leggy growth, small leaves, loss of variegation, stretching toward light Solutions: Provide bright, indirect light - near east window or filtered south/west exposure Prevention: Use sheer curtains to filter strong light, supplement with grow lights if needed, rotate weekly.

Quick Diagnostic Guide

Emergency Symptoms

When to Seek Help

• Plant doesn't respond to proper watering within 24 hours
• Multiple issues occurring simultaneously despite good care
• Suspected viral infection (distorted growth, mosaic patterns)

Prevention Checklist

• [ ] Check soil moisture every 2-3 days - keep evenly moist
• [ ] Maintain humidity between 60-80% with humidifier or pebble tray
• [ ] Provide bright, indirect light - no direct sun exposure
• [ ] Keep temperature stable between 65-80°F
• [ ] Fertilize monthly spring through summer with diluted fertilizer
• [ ] Inspect weekly for pests, especially undersides of leaves

Recovery Timeline

Week 1: Remove damaged foliage, adjust care conditions, plant may look worse before improving Week 2-3: New growth should begin emerging if conditions corrected, existing leaves stabilize Month 1+: Vigorous new growth with proper vein patterns, plant regains bushy appearance

Remember: Most Fittonia problems are preventable with proper care. When in doubt, adjust watering first, then light conditions.