Something's wrong with your plant, and you can't figure out what. The leaves are yellowing. Or browning. Or dropping. Or maybe they're doing that weird curling thing that looks deeply concerning. You've Googled it six times and gotten twelve different answers, and now you're more confused than when you started.
Take a breath. We've got you.
Planted. offers plant doctor diagnostics in Dubuque, IA for plant parents dealing with sick, sad, or mysteriously struggling specimens. Think of us as urgent care for your houseplants—we'll examine the patient, figure out what's going on, and help you nurse them back to health. No judgment about how they got this way in the first place.
Plants can't tell us what's wrong, but they do show us. And after years of reading those signals, our team has gotten pretty fluent in plant body language.
Virtual Plant Diagnostics
Can't make it to the shop? Plant too big to move? Live outside Dubuque? No problem—we offer virtual plant diagnostics for plant parents near and far.
Send us photos of your struggling plant and we'll help diagnose the issue remotely. The more information you can provide, the better: pictures of the affected leaves or stems, shots of the overall plant, images of the soil surface and drainage situation, and details about your care routine and the plant's location.
We can help answer plant questions through multiple channels:
Instagram: Send us a DM at @planted.dbq with your photos and questions
Facebook: Message us at facebook.com/planted.dbq
Website Chat: Use the chat feature on our website for quick questions
Email: Planteddbq@gmail.com for detailed inquiries with photo attachments
Phone: Call us at (563) 239-9289 to talk through what you're seeing
Virtual diagnostics work surprisingly well for many issues. Pest problems, watering issues, light stress, and nutritional deficiencies often show clear visual symptoms that we can identify from good photos. For trickier cases, we might ask follow-up questions or request additional pictures from different angles.
We help plant parents throughout Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, and beyond through our virtual services. Distance doesn't have to stop you from getting expert plant advice.
Common Problems We Diagnose
After years of playing plant doctor in Dubuque and surrounding communities, we've developed a mental catalog of the usual suspects. Here are some of the issues we diagnose most frequently:
Overwatering and Root Rot — The number one killer of houseplants, and often misdiagnosed because the symptoms can look very similar to underwatering. We'll help you understand the difference and save what can be saved.
Underwatering and Drought Stress — Crispy leaf edges, wilting, shriveling bodies, and dramatic drooping are all cries for help. We'll assess whether your watering practices needs adjustment.
Pest Infestations — Spider mites, mealybugs, scale, fungus gnats, aphids, thrips—these tiny troublemakers can wreak havoc before you even notice them. We'll identify what you're dealing with and recommend treatment options.
Lighting Issues — Too much light causes bleaching and scorching. Too little causes weak, leggy growth and difficulties growing new leaves. We'll help you figure out if your plant is getting what it needs.
Nutrient Deficiencies — Yellow leaves with green veins? Purple-tinged stems? Stunted growth? Your plant might be hungry for specific nutrients, and we can help identify what's missing.
Environmental Stress — Drafts, heating vents, sudden temperature changes, low humidity—Iowa winters are rough on tropical houseplants. We'll help you identify environmental factors that might be causing problems.
Transplant Shock — Did your plant take a turn after repotting? That's common and usually recoverable with the right approach.
Mystery Decline — Sometimes plants just start looking rough and you have no idea why. That's okay—we love a good plant mystery.
Our Diagnostic Approach
When you bring us a struggling plant—whether in person or via photos—we don't just glance at it and make a snap judgment. We take a systematic approach to figure out what's actually going on.
First, we look at the symptoms. What specifically is happening? Where on the plant? How quickly did it develop? Is it spreading?
Then we ask about history. When did you get this plant? Has anything changed recently—new location, new pot, new watering schedule? What's your care routine like?
Next, we examine the environment. What kind of light does this spot get? Is it near a vent or drafty window? What's the humidity situation?
Finally, we check the basics. Soil moisture? Drainage? Root health if we can access it.?
All of these pieces come together to tell a story. And once we understand the story, we can figure out the solution.
We'll explain our diagnosis in plain language—no confusing jargon or vague advice. You'll leave knowing exactly what's wrong and exactly what to do about it. We might recommend changes to your care routine, suggest a treatment for pests or disease, or in some cases, help you accept that this particular plant has gone to the great greenhouse in the sky and it's time to try again.
From Our Perspective
We get it. Watching a plant struggle is genuinely distressing, especially when you've been trying your best and nothing seems to help. There's a particular kind of frustration that comes with doing everything the internet told you to do and still ending up with a dying plant.
Here's something we want you to know: struggling plants are not a reflection of your worth as a person or your potential as a plant parent. Sometimes plants are just finicky. Sometimes you got bad advice or no advice. Sometimes the conditions in your space aren't right for that particular specimen. Sometimes stuff just happens.
Our job isn't to make you feel bad about a struggling plant—our job is to help you save it if we can, and learn from the experience either way. Every plant problem is a learning opportunity, and we've yet to meet a serial plant killer who couldn't be reformed with the right guidance.
We've also killed plants ourselves. Everyone who works with plants has. It's part of the process. What matters is understanding why, so you can do better next time.
Beyond Diagnosis: Ongoing Support
Plant doctor diagnostics often lead to deeper conversations about plant care. Once we've identified what's wrong, you might realize you need more support to keep your collection healthy.
Our plant consultations help you choose the right plants for your space and avoid problems before they start. If your diagnosis reveals the plant needs repotting, our potting bar and repotting services can help—we've got custom soil blends to match your plant's specific needs.
For clients who want hands-off care and peace of mind, our ongoing plant care services include regular health assessments, preventative pest management, and all the watering, fertilizing, and pruning your plants need. We catch problems early so you don't have to play plant detective yourself.
And if you're tired of the anxiety that comes with keeping plants alive, ask us about preserved moss art installations—all the green aesthetic, none of the maintenance. Sometimes the best plant care is knowing which plants are right for your lifestyle.
