Leaf Issues

Yellowing Leaves

Symptoms: Leaves turn yellow starting from the base, sometimes with soft or mushy texture. Lower leaves are typically affected first. Common Causes:

• Overwatering causing root suffocation
• Natural aging of older leaves
• Nutrient deficiency, particularly nitrogen

Solutions:

• Check soil moisture and allow top inch to dry between waterings
• Remove yellowed leaves to redirect energy to healthy growth
• Feed with balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to quarter strength

Prevention: Maintain consistent watering schedule, ensure good drainage, and fertilize regularly during growing season.

Brown/Crispy Leaves

Symptoms: Leaf edges turn brown and crispy, starting at tips and progressing inward. Leaves may curl or become papery. Common Causes:

• Low humidity (below 40%)
• Direct sunlight exposure
• Fertilizer burn from concentrated feeding

Solutions:

• Increase humidity with pebble trays or humidifier
• Move to bright indirect light location
• Flush soil with water to remove excess salts

Prevention: Maintain 50-60% humidity, provide filtered light, and always dilute fertilizers properly.

Drooping/Wilting

Symptoms: Leaves lose firmness and droop despite moist soil, may appear limp or lifeless. Common Causes:

• Root rot from overwatering
• Underwatering stress
• Temperature shock from cold drafts

Solutions:

• Check roots for rot and repot if necessary
• Adjust watering based on soil moisture
• Move away from air conditioning vents or cold windows

Prevention: Use well-draining soil mix, water when top inch is dry, maintain temperatures between 65-75°F.

Leaf Drop

Symptoms: Healthy-looking leaves suddenly drop off, particularly during winter months. Common Causes:

• Cold temperatures below 60°F
• Sudden environmental changes
• Natural dormancy period

Solutions:

• Maintain stable room temperature
• Avoid moving plant frequently
• Reduce watering during winter dormancy

Prevention: Keep in consistent location with stable temperatures, gradually acclimate to any environmental changes.

Growth Issues

Stunted Growth

Symptoms: Plant stops producing new leaves, existing leaves remain small, no flowering despite proper season. Common Causes:

• Pot-bound roots
• Insufficient light
• Nutrient depletion

Solutions:

• Repot in slightly larger container
• Move closer to east or north window
• Begin regular feeding schedule with African violet fertilizer

Prevention: Repot annually in spring, provide bright indirect light, maintain consistent fertilization.

Leggy/Stretching Growth

Symptoms: Long stems with sparse leaves, plant reaches toward light source, weak flowering. Common Causes:

• Insufficient light intensity
• Overcrowding with other plants
• Excessive nitrogen fertilization

Solutions:

• Move to brighter location or add grow light
• Provide adequate spacing between plants
• Switch to bloom-booster fertilizer

Prevention: Rotate plant weekly for even growth, maintain proper light levels, use balanced fertilization.

Pest Problems

Mealybugs

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

• Dab with alcohol-soaked cotton swab
• Spray with insecticidal soap solution
• Isolate infected plant immediately Prevention: Inspect new plants before introducing, maintain good air circulation, avoid overwatering.

Aphids

Identification: Small green or white insects clustered on new growth Damage Signs: Curled leaves, sticky residue, distorted growth Treatment:

• Rinse off with lukewarm water
• Apply neem oil spray weekly
• Introduce ladybugs as natural predators Prevention: Regular inspection of new growth, quarantine new plants, maintain plant health.

Thrips

Identification: Tiny, slender insects that move quickly when disturbed Damage Signs: Silver streaks on leaves, flower damage, leaf distortion Treatment:

• Blue sticky traps to monitor and control
• Systemic insecticide for severe infestations
• Remove damaged flowers and leaves Prevention: Keep area clean of plant debris, inspect flowers regularly, maintain humidity above 50%.

Disease Issues

Crown Rot

Symptoms: Soft, mushy crown center, foul odor, leaf collapse from center Causes: Water accumulation in crown, poor air circulation, contaminated tools Treatment:

• Remove all affected tissue with sterile knife
• Apply fungicide to cut areas
• Repot in fresh, sterile soil Prevention: Water from bottom or around edges, ensure good ventilation, sterilize tools between plants.

Powdery Mildew

Symptoms: White, powdery coating on leaves, distorted growth, reduced flowering Causes: High humidity with poor air circulation, overcrowding, infected neighboring plants Treatment:

• Remove affected leaves immediately
• Apply fungicide spray
• Improve air circulation with fan Prevention: Space plants adequately, avoid overhead watering, maintain moderate humidity with good airflow.

Root Problems

Root Rot

Symptoms: Yellowing leaves despite moist soil, foul smell from pot, mushy brown roots Identification: Roots appear brown or black instead of white, easily break off when touched Treatment:

• Remove from pot and trim all affected roots
• Repot in fresh, well-draining soil
• Reduce watering frequency significantly Prevention: Use pots with drainage holes, never let plant sit in water, use appropriate soil mix.

Root Bound

Symptoms: Roots circling drainage holes, water runs through quickly, frequent wilting Identification: Dense root mass when removed from pot, roots growing in circles Treatment:

• Repot in container 1-2 inches larger
• Gently tease apart circling roots
• Trim excessively long roots Prevention: Repot every 1-2 years, choose appropriate pot size, monitor root growth through drainage holes.

Environmental Stress

Temperature Shock

Symptoms: Sudden leaf drop, wilting despite proper watering, flower bud drop Causes: Exposure to temperatures below 60°F or above 80°F, cold drafts, heating vents Treatment: Move to stable temperature location, remove damaged foliage, reduce watering temporarily Prevention: Maintain 65-75°F range, avoid placement near doors or HVAC vents.

Humidity Issues

Low Humidity Symptoms: Brown leaf tips, slow growth, failure to flower High Humidity Symptoms: Fungal growth, soft spots on leaves, crown rot Solutions: Use humidity tray for low humidity, increase air circulation for high humidity Prevention: Maintain 50-60% humidity with hygrometer monitoring, ensure adequate ventilation.

Light Stress

Too Much Light: Bleached or scorched leaves, compact growth, leaf curl Too Little Light: Pale leaves, leggy growth, no flowering Solutions: Adjust distance from window, use sheer curtains for filtering, supplement with grow lights Prevention: Provide bright indirect light, avoid direct sun exposure, monitor for seasonal light changes.

Quick Diagnostic Guide

Emergency Symptoms

When to Seek Help

• Multiple problems occurring simultaneously
• No improvement after 2 weeks of treatment
• Rapid decline despite proper care

Prevention Checklist

• [ ] Check soil moisture before watering
• [ ] Inspect for pests weekly
• [ ] Maintain stable temperature
• [ ] Provide bright indirect light
• [ ] Fertilize during growing season
• [ ] Ensure proper drainage

Recovery Timeline

Week 1: Remove damaged parts, adjust care conditions, begin treatment Week 2-3: New growth should appear, existing leaves stabilize Month 1+: Full recovery with proper care, resume normal maintenance

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