Leaf Issues

Yellowing Leaves

Symptoms: Leaves turning pale green to yellow, starting with lower leaves and progressing upward, often maintaining green veins while leaf tissue yellows Common Causes:

• Overwatering leading to oxygen-deprived roots
• Nitrogen deficiency from inadequate fertilization
• Natural aging of lower leaves

Solutions:

• Check soil moisture and allow top inch to dry between waterings
• Apply balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength every 2 weeks
• Remove yellowed leaves to redirect energy to healthy growth

Prevention: Maintain consistent watering schedule, use well-draining potting mix, and fertilize regularly during growing season

Brown/Crispy Leaves

Symptoms: Leaf edges or tips turning brown and crispy, sometimes with yellow halos, leaves feeling papery or brittle to touch Common Causes:

• Low humidity (below 40%)
• Fluoride/chlorine sensitivity in tap water
• Fertilizer burn from over-feeding

Solutions:

• Increase humidity with pebble trays or regular misting
• Switch to filtered or rainwater for watering
• Flush soil with clean water to remove salt buildup

Prevention: Maintain humidity above 50%, use filtered water, and always dilute fertilizer to manufacturer's recommendations or less

Drooping/Wilting

Symptoms: Leaves and stems lose rigidity, plant appears limp even with moist soil, colors may appear dull Common Causes:

• Underwatering or drought stress
• Root rot from overwatering
• Temperature stress from cold drafts or heat

Solutions:

• Check soil moisture and water thoroughly if dry
• If soil is wet, check roots for rot and repot if necessary
• Move plant away from temperature extremes

Prevention: Water when top inch of soil is dry, ensure proper drainage, keep temperatures between 60-75°F (15-24°C)

Leaf Drop

Symptoms: Healthy-looking leaves suddenly falling off, often starting with lower leaves, stems may remain bare Common Causes:

• Sudden temperature changes
• Transplant shock
• Seasonal light changes

Solutions:

• Maintain stable temperatures and avoid moving plant frequently
• Give newly repotted plants time to adjust with consistent care
• Gradually acclimate to new light conditions over 7-10 days

Prevention: Keep environment stable, minimize transplanting, and make environmental changes gradually

Growth Issues

Stunted Growth

Symptoms: Little to no new growth during active season, small leaves, compact internodes, overall plant appears smaller than expected Common Causes:

• Insufficient light
• Root bound conditions
• Nutrient deficiencies

Solutions:

• Move to brighter indirect light or supplement with grow lights
• Check roots and repot if circling pot bottom
• Begin regular fertilization schedule with balanced fertilizer

Prevention: Provide bright indirect light, repot annually in spring, maintain consistent feeding schedule

Leggy/Stretching Growth

Symptoms: Long stems between leaves, plant reaching toward light source, loss of compact bushy shape Common Causes:

• Insufficient light intensity
• Lack of pinching/pruning
• Natural growth pattern without intervention

Solutions:

• Move closer to light source or add supplemental lighting
• Pinch growing tips to encourage branching
• Take cuttings from leggy stems to propagate and restart plant

Prevention: Provide adequate bright indirect light, pinch tips regularly, rotate plant weekly for even growth

Pest Problems

Aphids

Identification: Small green, white, or black soft-bodied insects clustering on new growth and undersides of leaves Damage Signs: Sticky honeydew on leaves, curled or distorted new growth, yellowing leaves Treatment:

• Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil solution
• Rinse off with strong water spray in shower
• Apply systemic insecticide for severe infestations Prevention: Regular inspection of new growth, quarantine new plants, maintain good air circulation

Spider Mites

Identification: Tiny red or brown specks on leaf undersides, fine webbing between leaves and stems Damage Signs: Stippled or speckled leaves, bronze or yellow discoloration, leaf drop Treatment:

• Wipe leaves with damp cloth regularly
• Spray with miticide or neem oil every 3 days for 2 weeks
• Increase humidity to discourage mites Prevention: Maintain humidity above 50%, regular leaf cleaning, inspect plants weekly

Mealybugs

Identification: White cottony masses in leaf joints, stem crevices, and on roots Damage Signs: Yellowing leaves, sticky honeydew, stunted growth, sooty mold Treatment:

• Dab with alcohol-soaked cotton swabs
• Spray with insecticidal soap weekly
• Apply systemic insecticide for persistent cases Prevention: Quarantine new plants, regular inspection, avoid overwatering which attracts them

Disease Issues

Downy Mildew

Symptoms: Purple-gray fuzzy growth on leaf undersides, yellow patches on upper leaf surfaces Causes: High humidity combined with poor air circulation, cool temperatures Treatment:

• Remove affected leaves immediately
• Improve air circulation with fans
• Apply copper-based fungicide Prevention: Space plants adequately, water at soil level, maintain good ventilation

Bacterial Leaf Spot

Symptoms: Dark water-soaked spots with yellow halos, spots may merge and cause leaf drop Causes: Splashing water on leaves, high humidity, contaminated tools Treatment:

• Remove all affected foliage
• Avoid overhead watering
• Apply copper bactericide if severe Prevention: Water at base only, sterilize tools, provide adequate spacing

Root Problems

Root Rot

Symptoms: Yellowing leaves despite moist soil, foul smell from soil, plant easily lifts from pot Identification: Roots appear brown or black, mushy texture, healthy roots should be white/cream Treatment:

• Remove from pot and trim all affected roots
• Repot in fresh, sterile potting mix
• Reduce watering frequency and ensure drainage Prevention: Use well-draining soil, ensure pots have drainage holes, never let plant sit in water

Root Bound

Symptoms: Roots circling drainage holes, water runs through quickly, growth slows despite good care Identification: Thick mat of roots visible when removed from pot, roots circling pot shape Treatment:

• Repot in container 1-2 inches larger
• Gently tease apart circling roots
• Trim excessively long roots before repotting Prevention: Repot annually in spring, choose appropriate pot size, monitor drainage hole for emerging roots

Environmental Stress

Temperature Shock

Symptoms: Sudden leaf drop, wilting, blackened leaves after cold exposure Causes: Temperatures below 50°F (10°C), hot/cold drafts, sudden temperature changes Treatment: Move to stable temperature area, remove damaged foliage, maintain consistent care Prevention: Keep away from windows in winter, AC vents, and heating sources

Humidity Issues

Low Humidity Symptoms: Brown leaf tips, edges curling inward, increased pest susceptibility High Humidity Symptoms: Fungal growth, soft stem rot, reduced vigor Solutions: Use humidifier for low humidity, increase ventilation for high humidity Prevention: Maintain 50-60% humidity with hygrometer monitoring

Light Stress

Too Much Light: Bleached or scorched leaves, faded colors in variegated varieties Too Little Light: Loss of variegation, leggy growth, small pale leaves Solutions: Adjust position relative to window, use sheer curtains to filter intense light Prevention: Provide bright indirect light, avoid direct sun especially during midday

Quick Diagnostic Guide

Emergency Symptoms

When to Seek Help

• Plant doesn't respond to treatment within 2 weeks
• Multiple problems occurring simultaneously
• Unsure of pest or disease identification

Prevention Checklist

• [ ] Check soil moisture before watering
• [ ] Inspect for pests weekly
• [ ] Maintain stable temperature 60-75°F
• [ ] Provide bright indirect light
• [ ] Fertilize every 2 weeks in growing season
• [ ] Ensure proper drainage in pots

Recovery Timeline

Week 1: Remove damaged parts, adjust care routine, monitor daily Week 2-3: New growth should appear, continue consistent care Month 1+: Full recovery with bushy new growth, resume normal maintenance

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