Plant Health Monitoring & Diagnosis
Learn to identify plant health issues early. Recognize warning signs, use health indicators, and diagnose problems before they become serious.
🎯 What You'll Learn
- Health indicators - PlantKeeper's health status system
- Visual inspection - What to look for weekly
- Warning signs - Early problem detection
- Common problems - Quick diagnosis guide
- When to use Plant Doctor - Get expert help
⚡ Quick Start
Weekly Health Check (2 minutes per plant):
- Check leaves - Color, texture, spots?
- Feel soil - Too wet, too dry, just right?
- Look for pests - Under leaves, stems
- Update PlantKeeper - Health status, notes
- Use Plant Doctor - If anything concerning
📚 Complete Guide
Understanding Health Status
PlantKeeper's Health Indicators
Health Status Colors
Color-Coded System:
🟢 Green - Healthy
Means:
- All care tasks completed on time
- No overdue reminders
- No reported problems
- Growing as expected
Action: Keep doing what you're doing!
🟡 Yellow - Needs Attention
Means:
- 1-3 days overdue on watering
- Minor issues reported in diary
- Growth slower than expected
- Requires monitoring
Action:
- Check plant physically
- Complete overdue tasks
- Add observation to diary
- Monitor for worsening
🟠 Orange - Concerning
Means:
- 4-7 days overdue on critical care
- Multiple missed waterings
- Health issue noted but not resolved
- Declining trend in data
Action:
- Immediate physical inspection
- Complete all overdue care
- Use Plant Doctor if unclear what's wrong
- Daily monitoring until improved
🔴 Red - Critical
Means:
- 7+ days overdue on watering
- Plant Doctor flagged serious issue
- Rapid decline noted
- Urgent intervention needed
Action:
- Immediate action required
- Diagnose problem (Plant Doctor)
- Implement treatment plan
- Consider isolation (if pest/disease)
- Update daily in diary
Health Score Calculation
PlantKeeper Considers:
Care Completion (40% of score)
- Watering on schedule
- Fertilizing when due
- Other reminders completed
Growth Trend (30% of score)
- Height measurements increasing
- Leaf count growing
- Positive growth rate
User Reports (30% of score)
- Diary observations ("thriving", "struggling")
- Plant Doctor consultations
- Photos showing health
Automatic Updates: Score recalculates after each action.
Visual Inspection Guide
What to Check Weekly
Leaf Inspection
Look At:
Color
Healthy:
- Deep, vibrant green (most plants)
- Consistent color across all leaves
- New leaves bright and fresh
Warning Signs:
- 🚩 Yellowing - Overwatering, underwatering, or nutrients
- 🚩 Pale/light green - Insufficient light or nutrients
- 🚩 Brown tips - Low humidity, water quality, over-fertilizing
- 🚩 Brown patches - Sunburn, disease, or pests
- 🚩 Black spots - Fungal infection or cold damage
Texture
Healthy:
- Firm and turgid (full of water)
- Smooth surface
- Perky, not drooping
Warning Signs:
- 🚩 Crispy/dry - Underwatering or low humidity
- 🚩 Soft/mushy - Overwatering or root rot
- 🚩 Curling - Underwatering, pests, or heat stress
- 🚩 Drooping - Underwatering, overwatering, or root issues
Surface
Healthy:
- Clean (some dust okay)
- No visible insects
- No sticky residue
- No webbing
Warning Signs:
- 🚩 Sticky leaves - Aphids or scale (honeydew)
- 🚩 White cottony spots - Mealybugs
- 🚩 Fine webbing - Spider mites
- 🚩 Tiny bugs - Various pests
- 🚩 White powder - Powdery mildew (fungal)
Leaf Count
Monitor:
- New leaves appearing? (growth happening)
- Old leaves dropping? (some normal, excessive not)
- Ratio: New growth > leaf drop = healthy
Warning Signs:
- 🚩 No new growth - Dormancy (winter) or problem
- 🚩 Excessive leaf drop - Stress, overwatering, or shock
- 🚩 Only old leaves dropping - Often normal
- 🚩 New leaves dropping - Serious problem
Stem Inspection
Look At:
Color & Texture
Healthy:
- Green or woody (depending on plant)
- Firm, not soft
- Upright posture
Warning Signs:
- 🚩 Black/brown at base - Root rot (emergency!)
- 🚩 Soft/mushy stems - Overwatering, rot
- 🚩 Shriveled stems - Severe underwatering
- 🚩 Leggy growth - Insufficient light (stretching)
Soil Inspection
Check:
Moisture
Test: Stick finger 2 inches into soil.
Healthy:
- Moist but not soggy (most plants)
- Dry between waterings (succulents)
Warning Signs:
- 🚩 Bone dry - Underwatering
- 🚩 Soggy/swampy - Overwatering
- 🚩 Water pools on surface - Compacted soil or poor drainage
- 🚩 Pulls away from pot edges - Very dry (hydrophobic soil)
Smell
Healthy:
- Earthy, fresh smell
- Minimal odor
Warning Signs:
- 🚩 Sour/rotten smell - Root rot (overwatering)
- 🚩 Ammonia smell - Over-fertilizing
- 🚩 Musty smell - Fungal growth
Surface
Healthy:
- Slightly moist
- No mold/fungus
- No pests
Warning Signs:
- 🚩 White mold - Overwatering, poor air circulation
- 🚩 Fungus gnats - Tiny flies around soil (too moist)
- 🚩 Crusty white buildup - Salt/mineral accumulation (flush needed)
- 🚩 Green algae - Staying too wet, too much light on soil
Pot & Root Inspection
Check Monthly:
Drainage
Look At:
- Are drainage holes clear?
- Does water flow through?
- Any roots coming out holes?
Warning Signs:
- 🚩 Roots out drainage holes - Root-bound (repot needed)
- 🚩 No drainage holes - Problem! Water pools, root rot risk
- 🚩 Blocked holes - Clean immediately
Root Health (When Repotting)
Healthy Roots:
- White or light tan color
- Firm texture
- Earthy smell
Unhealthy Roots:
- 🚩 Black/brown mushy - Root rot (cut away, repot)
- 🚩 Circling pot edge - Root-bound (size up pot)
- 🚩 Foul smell - Rot (remove dead roots, fresh soil)
Common Problems Quick Guide
Fast Diagnosis
Yellowing Leaves
Possible Causes:
Lower Leaves Yellowing
- ✅ Normal aging (1-2 leaves, slowly)
- ⚠️ Overwatering (multiple leaves, soggy soil)
- ⚠️ Underwatering (dry soil, drooping)
All Over Yellowing
- ⚠️ Nutrient deficiency (nitrogen)
- ⚠️ Too much light (sun bleaching)
- ⚠️ Root problems (check roots)
New Growth Yellow
- ⚠️ Iron deficiency (chlorosis)
- ⚠️ pH issue (check soil pH)
PlantKeeper Action: Take photo → Plant Doctor → "Why are leaves yellow?"
Brown Tips/Edges
Possible Causes:
Just Tips Brown
- ⚠️ Low humidity (most common)
- ⚠️ Fluoride in water (use filtered/distilled)
- ⚠️ Salt buildup (flush soil monthly)
Edges Brown, Crispy
- ⚠️ Underwatering (increase frequency)
- ⚠️ Too much direct sun (move or shade)
- ⚠️ Over-fertilizing (nutrient burn)
Quick Fix: Increase humidity (misting, humidifier), use filtered water.
Drooping/Wilting
Possible Causes:
Soil is Dry
- ⚠️ Underwatering (water immediately)
- ⚠️ Root-bound (roots can't absorb)
Soil is Wet
- ⚠️ Overwatering (root damage, can't uptake)
- ⚠️ Root rot (emergency!)
After Watering, Still Droopy
- ⚠️ Root damage (rot or bound)
- ⚠️ Transplant shock (if recently repotted)
Diagnosis: Check soil moisture first!
Spots on Leaves
Types:
Brown Spots (Dry)
- ⚠️ Sunburn (move from direct sun)
- ⚠️ Leaf spot disease (fungal, isolate plant)
Brown Spots (Wet/Soft)
- ⚠️ Bacterial infection (isolate, remove affected leaves)
- ⚠️ Cold damage (too cold)
Black Spots
- ⚠️ Fungal disease (improve air circulation)
- ⚠️ Cold damage (freezing temps)
Yellow Spots
- ⚠️ Pest damage (spider mites, thrips)
- ⚠️ Nutrient deficiency (iron, magnesium)
PlantKeeper Action: Photo → Plant Doctor → Detailed diagnosis.
Pests
Identification:
Spider Mites
Signs: Fine webbing, tiny red/brown dots, stippled leaves Action: Shower plant, neem oil spray, increase humidity
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony clusters in leaf axils Action: Remove with alcohol swab, insecticidal soap
Aphids
Signs: Tiny green/black bugs on new growth, sticky leaves Action: Spray with water, insecticidal soap
Fungus Gnats
Signs: Tiny flies around soil, harmless to plant (annoying to you) Action: Let soil dry between waterings, yellow sticky traps
Scale
Signs: Brown bumps on stems, sticky leaves Action: Scrape off, alcohol swab, systemic insecticide if severe
All Pests: Isolate plant, treat weekly, monitor 2+ weeks after.
Using Plant Doctor Effectively
Get Expert Diagnosis
When to Consult
Use Plant Doctor When:
Unclear Problem
- Can't identify what's wrong
- Multiple symptoms
- Contradictory signs
Rapid Decline
- Plant deteriorating quickly
- Treatment needed urgently
- Don't want to guess wrong
Persistent Issue
- Tried fixes, not improving
- Been treating for weeks
- Need second opinion
Preventive Advice
- New plant, want care tips
- Planning to propagate
- Preparing for season change
How to Get Best Diagnosis
Provide Good Information:
Photos (Most Important!)
- Whole plant - Overall context
- Problem area close-up - Show issue clearly
- Healthy area - For comparison
- Under leaves - Where pests hide
- Soil surface - Show moisture level
Lighting: Natural, indirect light (not flash).
Detailed Description
Include:
- Symptom timeline ("started 2 weeks ago")
- Recent changes ("moved to new window last month")
- Care routine ("water every 7 days")
- Environment ("bathroom, high humidity")
More Context = Better Diagnosis
Follow Up
After Treatment:
- "Update" conversation in Plant Doctor
- Report if improving or worsening
- Upload new photos showing progress
- AI learns from feedback
Plant Doctor Best Practices
Maximize Value:
Ask Specific Questions
Good:
- "Why does my Monstera have brown tips on new leaves?"
- "Is this spider mite damage on my pothos?"
- "How much light does Ficus elastica need?"
Less Helpful:
- "What's wrong?" (too vague)
- "Help" (no context)
- "Is this bad?" (need specifics)
One Issue Per Conversation
Better:
- Conversation 1: Brown tips diagnosis
- Conversation 2: Repotting advice
Avoid:
- "Why brown tips AND how to repot AND is this pest?" (confusing)
Save Consultations
Review Later:
- Access from plant details page
- Compare diagnoses over time
- Reference treatment plans
- See what worked
💡 Tips & Tricks
Create Inspection Routine
Every Sunday:
- Check all plants (5 min each)
- Note any changes in PlantKeeper
- Update health status if needed
- Use Plant Doctor for concerns
Catches Problems Early: Before they become crises!
Take Comparison Photos
Monthly Progress:
- Same angle, lighting, distance
- Compare month-to-month
- Spot subtle changes
- Document recovery
Helpful For: Showing Plant Doctor "before treatment" vs "after treatment".
Keep Plant Journal
Use Diary Feature:
- Weekly observations
- Care changes tried
- Results of treatments
- Seasonal patterns
Future Reference: "Last spring had spider mites, caught early this year!"
Quarantine New/Sick Plants
Prevent Spread:
- New plants: 2 weeks isolation (check for hidden pests)
- Sick plants: Isolate until recovered
- Pests: Absolutely isolate (contagious!)
Saves: Your entire collection from infestation.
Trust Your Instincts
You Know Your Plant:
- If something looks "off", investigate
- Don't ignore gut feeling
- Better to ask Plant Doctor and be wrong than miss problem
You're the Expert: On your specific plant in your specific environment.
❓ Common Questions
Q: How often should I check plant health?
A: Depends on collection size:
Small Collection (1-10 plants):
- Quick visual: Daily (30 sec per plant)
- Detailed inspection: Weekly (5 min per plant)
Medium Collection (10-30 plants):
- Quick visual: Every 2-3 days
- Detailed inspection: Bi-weekly (rotating groups)
Large Collection (30+ plants):
- Quick visual: Weekly (scan while watering)
- Detailed inspection: Monthly (thorough check)
Q: My plant's health status is yellow but it looks fine. Why?
A: Possible reasons:
Overdue Reminder:
- Watering reminder 2 days overdue
- But soil still moist (you correctly didn't water yet)
- Fix: Mark reminder complete with note "soil still moist, watering tomorrow"
Seasonal Normal:
- Winter dormancy (no growth expected)
- Fix: Add diary note "dormant for winter, healthy"
Algorithm Learning:
- System doesn't know your specific conditions yet
- Fix: System learns over time, gets more accurate
Q: Should I treat every yellow leaf as a problem?
A: No! Context matters:
Normal Yellowing:
- 1-2 oldest leaves on mature plant (aging)
- Leaves that were damaged (recovering)
- Lower leaves on vine (energy redirected to new growth)
Concerning Yellowing:
- Multiple leaves suddenly
- New growth yellowing
- All over yellowing
- Accompanied by other symptoms
Use Plant Doctor: Upload photo, get opinion if unsure.
Q: How do I know if it's overwatering or underwatering?
A: Check the soil!
Overwatering Signs:
- Yellowing leaves + soggy soil
- Soft, mushy stems
- Foul smell from soil
- Leaves drooping despite wet soil
Underwatering Signs:
- Yellowing leaves + bone dry soil
- Crispy, curled leaves
- Drooping that perks up after watering
- Soil pulling away from pot
Can't Tell?: Plant Doctor with photos (shows soil moisture).
🔗 Related Topics
Essential Reading
- Common Mistakes - Avoid causing problems
- Seasonal Care - Seasonal health changes
Get Help
- Plant Doctor Consultation - How to use AI diagnosis
- Diagnosis & Treatment - Detailed diagnosis guide
Track Progress
- Diary Entries - Document observations
- Growth Tracking - Monitor health via growth
Last Updated: October 24, 2025
Document Version: 2.0 (Modular Structure)