Here’s how to diagnose what’s wrong with your indoor plant and how to fix it.

Where’s your plant from? Knowing its origins is the first step for caring for it correctly. For example, a succulent, is from the desert so will need plenty of sun and minimal water.

Is it thirsty (or drowning)? When you bring your plant home, observe how it responds to warmth, light and watering. Also adjust your watering with the seasons as heaters, open fires and air conditioning all dry plants out quickly. As a general rule, if the saucer is always wet, you may be over-watering, but if the leaves are yellowing or going brown it may be thirsty.

Maintenance routine. Irregular maintenance is a common reason indoor plants fail. Pick a designated care day and don’t skip it. Take your plants outside in the shade, remove from their pots and give them water and fresh air. Once drained, take them back inside. Always give their leaves a wipe with a damp cloth to remove pests and dust build-up which prevents their ability to filter air.

Too much sun, or not enough? Many plant species love the sun, so ensure yours follows it with the seasons. Not all plants enjoy the sun and as a result can develop dark patches or crispy edges. So, even if your plant isn’t a sun lover, make sure it has time outside in the shade.

Is it really dead? Just because a plant looks limp or is losing its leaves, it doesn’t mean it’s dead. Instead, it may need water or natural light. If it looks unwell, trim off the dead parts, give it some sun, and check to see if it needs water. Sometimes even a change of location makes a huge difference to health and appearance.

You’re buying the wrong species. If you’re constantly nursing unwell plants, you could be buying the wrong varieties. Opt for plants that don’t require full sun to survive as they’re generally hardy and can survive indoors without much care.