Why are my plant's leaves turning yellow, and can an app diagnose it?
Yellow leaves most often point to watering problems (too much or too little), but light, nutrients, pests and natural ageing of old leaves can cause them too, and the pattern matters. Arbor's Plant Doctor lets you describe what you see, or add a photo on supported devices, and explains the likely cause, how urgent it is and what to do, using your plant's real care history.
Download Arbor on the App Store
How the options compare
- Checking it yourself: Feel the soil a finger-joint deep, look under leaves for pests, check drainage, and note whether the yellowing starts on old or new leaves. This is free and often enough.
- Asking a general AI chatbot: Can give good general advice, but it does not know when you last watered. Plant Doctor reads your care history in Arbor.
- A local nursery or extension service: People who can see and touch the plant are hard to beat for stubborn problems.
Where Arbor fits
Plant Doctor lives in Arbor. You describe symptoms such as yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping, and it uses the waterings and feedings you have logged for that plant. On iOS 27 it uses the on-device model's deep-reasoning mode.
It gives a likely cause, how urgent it is and what to do. It is guidance, not a guarantee, so confirm with a nursery for valuable or sick plants.
Plant Doctor is part of Premium and needs an iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence. Diagnoses stay on your device.
What it costs
Arbor is free to download. Free gives you up to 5 plants, name lookup, 3 photo identifications, watering schedules and weather alerts. Premium unlocks unlimited plants, unlimited photo identification, Plant Doctor and watering reminders: $1.49 a week, $2.99 a month, $19.99 a year or $39.99 once in the US. Prices from the US App Store, checked 2026-11-04; they vary by region.
Quick answers
Is Plant Doctor free?
No. Plant Doctor is part of Premium.
Can I add a photo?
Yes, on supported devices. You can also describe the symptoms in words.
Is it always right?
No. It explains the likely cause; treat it as guidance.
Does it work offline?
The AI runs on your device with Apple Intelligence.
More questions about Arbor
- What is a good plant identification app that does not need an account?
- Is there an app that tells me when to water each plant, including outdoor ones?
Full details: Arbor app page · all answers