Is Your Plant Dying? A Visual Guide to Common Plant Diseases

Fungal Diseases (Most Common Indoors)

Powdery Mildew

Looks like: White, powdery coating on leaves/stems.

Cause: High humidity + poor airflow.

Fix: Improve ventilation, prune infected leaves, use fungicidal soap.

Root Rot

Looks like: Mushy, brown/black roots with foul odor. Leaves may yellow/drop.

Cause: Overwatering + poorly draining soil.

Fix: Repot in fresh, airy mix; trim rotted roots.

Leaf Spot (Fungal)

Looks like: Brown/black spots with yellow halos.

Cause: Water splashing on leaves, humidity stress.

Fix: Remove infected leaves, water at soil level.

Bacterial Diseases

Bacterial Leaf Spot

Looks like: Wet-looking or greasy leaf spots that spread quickly.

Cause: Contaminated water/tools, warm humid conditions.

Fix: Isolate plant, prune infected parts, sterilize tools.

Bacterial Soft Rot

Looks like: Stems turn mushy, collapse, and smell foul.

Cause: Overwatering or infected wounds.

Fix: Discard severely infected plants; prevention is key.

Viral Diseases

Mosaic Virus

Looks like: Mottled yellow/green “mosaic” patterns on leaves.

Cause: Spread by insects (aphids, thrips) or contaminated tools.

Fix: No cure—discard infected plants; control pests to prevent spread.

Leaf Curl Virus

Looks like: Distorted, curled leaves with stunted growth.

Cause: Spread by sap-sucking insects.

Fix: Control pests early; infected plants often can’t recover.

How to Spot Trouble Early

• White fuzz on soil: Fungal mold; improve airflow and reduce watering.
• Yellow halos around spots: Classic fungal leaf spot.
• Mushy stems: Likely rot (fungal or bacterial).
• Weird patterns on leaves: Possible viral infection.

Pro tip: Always isolate a sick plant from the rest of your collection until you know the cause.

Prevention = Best Medicine

• Water soil directly, not leaves.
• Keep leaves dry overnight (fungi love darkness + moisture).
• Use pots with drainage holes and airy soil.
• Clean tools between plants (alcohol wipes).
• Quarantine new plants before adding to your collection.

Real-World Example

Case study (2025): A VerdeBotany reader’s calathea developed brown leaf spots. The AI tool identified fungal leaf spot, suggested pruning infected leaves and adding a fan nearby. Within 3 weeks, new growth appeared healthy with no spreading.

Turn Symptoms into a Clear Diagnosis

Instead of guessing whether it’s fungus, bacteria, or virus, the VerdeBotany AI Plant Doctor compares your plant’s symptoms with thousands of cases and gives you a real-time action plan.

Check Your Plant’s Symptoms Now →

Helpful Internal Links

• VerdeBotany Homepage (AI Tool)
• About Us
• Contact

Plant Disease FAQ (2025)

What’s the difference between fungal and bacterial leaf spots?

Fungal: Brown/black spots with yellow halos. Bacterial: Water-soaked or greasy-looking spots that spread faster.

Can I save a plant with root rot?

Yes—trim affected roots, repot in fresh, airy soil, and adjust watering. Severe cases may not recover.

Are viral plant diseases contagious?

Yes—spread by pests and tools. Infected plants usually cannot be cured and should be discarded to protect others.

How can I prevent diseases indoors?

Improve airflow, avoid overwatering, clean tools, and isolate sick/new plants before mixing them with your collection.