Where to Go When You Want to Know: A Guide to Using the Plant Clinic

Have an insect on a plant and you don’t know what to do?

Moved to a new home and looking for advice on how to maintain your lawn?

Looking to install native plants but don’t know where to start?

Look no further than the UF/IFAS Extension Plant Clinic!

Homeowners in Florida know that maintaining a healthy landscape can be both rewarding and

challenging. From mysterious spots on leaves to declining trees or pests in the garden, plant problems

can arise quickly. Additionally, many homeowners are new to the area and are not familiar with the types

of plants grown in central Florida. That’s where the UF/IFAS Extension Plant Clinic comes in! We are a

trusted, research-based resource that helps you find solutions to your lawn and landscape questions.

The Plant Clinic is staffed by trained Master Gardener Volunteers under the supervision of UF/IFAS faculty that can accurately diagnose plant problems and answer your questions. Whether you bring in a leaf sample, a damaged branch, or email a photo of your yard, the Plant Clinic will use science-based methods to identify pests, diseases, or nutrient deficiencies. When necessary, samples can even be sent to the UF/IFAS diagnostic labs for specialized testing, or to a specialist, ensuring you get the most accurate information possible.

All recommendations from the Plant Clinic are grounded in university research, and this means

you’ll receive management options that are effective, environmentally responsible, and specific to Central

Florida. Whether you’re looking for advice on fertilizers, pest control, or pruning techniques, you can

feel confident that the guidance supports long-term plant health and sustainability.

Guessing what’s wrong with your plants can lead to wasted money on unnecessary products and

treatments that may not solve the problem or could even make it worse. Contact the Plant Clinic early,

so you can catch issues before they spread. This can save time and money and can help your landscape

recover quickly. The right diagnosis and management plan also prevent the need for repeated treatments,

reducing costs and keeping your plants healthier overall.

Plant Clinic services are available for anyone managing plants in the home landscape. Whether

you maintain a few potted herbs on a patio, a small butterfly garden, or a full landscape we are there to

help. The Plant Clinic can also assist with turfgrass concerns, vegetable gardens, palms, and native

plantings. The UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Plant Clinic is open daily and homeowners are welcome to

stop in, send a text or email, or even give us a phone call. Diagnosing an issue can sometimes take a bit of

back and forth and require further investigation that may take some time. There are no fees associated

with utilizing the services at our Plant Clinic although sending samples to labs may require them.

UF/IFAS Extension Plant Clinics are located throughout the state, making it easy to find one near

you. By using your local clinic, you support a statewide mission to protect Florida’s natural resources and

promote sustainable landscaping practices. Every visit helps you become a more informed, environmentally conscious homeowner.

If your plants aren’t thriving, or you just want expert advice on a landscape or garden query, contact your

local UF/IFAS Extension Plant Clinic. You’ll gain the confidence to care for your landscape the right way

and know that if you run into any issues that help is just a phone call (or text, email, or office visit) away.

For more information contact UF/IFAS Extension Polk County at 863-519-1041 or visit us online at sfyl.

ifas.ufl.edu/polk. The Plant Clinic is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to answer your

gardening and landscaping questions. If you are interested in purchasing a garden journal, contact the Plant Clinic.

If you are not in Polk County, Contact your local UF/ IFAS Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Plant

Clinic.

To learn more about gardening and landscaping in central Florida, listen to the Your Central Florida Yard

podcast. You can find the podcast wherever you listen or find out more on our Substack: substack.com/@yourcentralfloridayard. The January episode is a great listen for anyone interested in learning more about garden journaling. Find the episode here: bit.ly/4hzCrth.

Anne Yasalonis is the Residential Horticulture Extension

Agent and Master Gardener Volunteer Program

Coordinator for UF/IFAS Extension Polk County. Please

contact her at anneanne@ufl.edu.