Start with the change you can see, then choose your plant. Similar symptoms can have different causes. Check moisture, roots, light and recent changes before deciding what to do; these links help you investigate.
Check which leaves are affected and how quickly the change appeared. Water stress, root damage, light, pests and natural aging can overlap; yellow does not automatically mean overwatering.
Check moisture and roots, sun exposure, fertilizer use and water quality. Dry air can contribute for some plants, but brown tips alone do not establish the cause.
Inspect both sides of the leaf and look for pests or physical damage. Scorch and disease can also leave marks; shape and color alone are not enough to choose a treatment.
Check promptly for persistent wetness, poor drainage, cold injury and decay. Stop adding water to a wet pot; inspect roots or the crown if tissue is soft or collapse continues.
Check the mix before watering. A dry plant and one with damaged, waterlogged roots can both wilt. Also consider temperature, light and whether the plant normally arches or folds its leaves.
Distinguish long new growth from stems that have lost older leaves. Review light, but also check root health, leaf loss and the plant's normal growth habit before pruning or feeding.
Compare new leaves with older ones. Light can affect the appearance of a pattern, but cultivar, propagation method and normal maturation also matter. Bleached or damaged tissue needs separate checks.
Check maturity, light and seasonal growth, then review root condition and species-specific requirements. A healthy plant may not flower indoors; do not force it with extra fertilizer or stress.
An occasional old leaf or a normal growth habit can look alarming. Check the pattern and rate of change: these possibilities do not explain rapid, widespread decline.
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Reference material consulted for this independently written guide. The publishers listed have not reviewed or endorsed it.