What to do First

• Look over your plant, particularly under the leaves and in the crevices where the leaf petiole joins the stem.  What can you see?  We have listed a number of Useful Plant Links and Books & Resources that can assist you to identify anything found.

• Check the surroundings and growing conditions, are they suitable for your plant species?  Research your plant online or ask for advice about ideal growing conditions.

• If there is nothing obvious, consider the most common houseplant concerns such as overwatering, underwatering and inadequate light.   As a general rule, repot wet plants and soak dry plants.

• If there is evidence of pests or disease, identify and treat with your preferred method in accordance with safety directions.

• Put your plant in the shower or take it outside to the verandah or garden for a good hose off.  Ensure the entire plant gets wet.

• Give the leaves a wipe over (particularly the underside) and use an old soft toothbrush to get into any crevices and clean off any obvious residue.  This may be enough to control a few pests and if there are no other obvious signs of distress may be all that is required.  

• Give you plant a makeover and remove any brown or dead leaves.  While trimming any dead ends of leaves is not necessary, it will help you monitor any further leaf changes so is recommended.  It is best not to prune or propagate at this stage although if lengthy vines are subject to pests and diseases, it will be easier to treat and manage if they are cut back.

• Isopropyl alcohol on the end of a cotton bud can be used to remove any remaining critters.  

• Leave to dry for at least a day in bright indirect light.

• Follow up with any required treatments as identified above to control any further infestation.  Repeat as directed.

• After giving your plant a wash, consider leaving it on your verandah or in another suitable spot outside for a holiday.  Plants are not designed to be indoors so any shaded outdoor position with some more light and circulating air is going to be appreciated.  Full sun will damage your plant, so be wary of leaving plants outside.

• When moving your plant back inside, check that it's position is the best possible position in your home for it to thrive.  Research your plant species online or check out our Plant Profiles to see if we have profiled your plant and find out it's ideal growing conditions.

Please share before and after photos of your plant makeover on your socials and tag us #potteringwithpurpose.  We look forward to seeing your plants thrive!  

If this process helped you, consider leaving a Google Review.

If you still can't get your plant healthy, consider how far you're willing to go to get your plant back on track.  We offer a Plant Health Consultation or Plant In-Service for situations just like this.  Contact us to get a quote or arrange some help today.

Check out our Books & Resources pages for links and references related to specific plant concerns, individual plant species and well, all things plant related.

If you're plant is still suffering and you just can't work out why, consider subscribing to our newsletter The Plant Paper and gaining access to our subscriber only content.  Our subscriber only Plant Health Diagnostic Guide will guide you through a range of concerns and solutions so you can take your plant health back into your own hands.

Follow Jane Perrone and her podcast On The Ledge featuring many houseplant experts and scientists.  In particular, episode 239 discusses what to do with a dead houseplant.  It's not all doom and gloom.