1. Brown and Crunchy Leaves
The plant is: thirsty
Your plant needs a new lease on life, so be sure to water it until the soil is moist, but not saturated. Don't expect the problem to be solved overnight though! There is often a lag between the problem at hand and the leaves changing color, so be a little patient and this issue will be resolved.
2. Absent Leaves
The plant is: thirsty
If your plant is under-watered, it won't grow. So, if it looks a little on the skimpy side and hasn't changed much since you bought it, try watering it more often.
3. Leaves are Yellow at the Edges
The plant is: over-watered
When your plant appears a little umber-looking, you are likely feeding it a lot of water. Try watering it less frequently, just don't withhold watering completely - after all, your plant still needs to drink, it just doesn't need to be flooded!
4. Leaves Appear Misshapen or Discolored
The plant is: over-watered
It may surprise you to discover that over-watering is the number one killer of house plants. And, it's not just the heavy-handed approach to the watering that does it either. Check to see that your plant pot has adequate drainage. A re-purposed vessel that doesn't have holes in the bottom might mean too much water is caught up inside.
5. Leaves are Unusually Pale
The plant is: hungry
When leaves appear to be pale, your plant may need a frequent fertilizer particularly - iron. You may also want to move the plant to a larger container - increasing the size gradually, preferably, two inches at a time. With that said, don't expect to see results quickly.
6. Leaves Leaning to the Side
The plant is: in need of some sunlight
This is likely to happen among sun-loving plants. So, be sure to relocate the pot to a sunny window sill. If this is not possible, try pairing it with an 'understanding friend'.