Solving a plant care problem | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: At home, two adults troubleshoot a wilting plant by checking watering, drainage, light, and repotting..

EN → ES / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Solving a plant care problem to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Mi planta se está marchitando, aunque la riego a menudo.

MEE PLAHN-tah seh es-TAH mar-chee-TAHN-doh, AHN-kay lah RYE-goh ah meh-NOO-doh. My plant is wilting, even though I water it often.
B

Puede que tenga demasiada agua en vez de muy poca.

PWEH-deh keh TEN-gah deh-mah-SYAH-dah AH-gwah en BES deh moo-EE POH-kah. It may have too much water rather than too little.
A

Pensé que más agua la ayudaría a recuperarse.

pen-SAY keh mahs AH-gwah lah ah-yoo-dah-REE-ah ah reh-koo-peh-RAHR-seh. I thought more water would help it recover.
B

Comprueba el drenaje y deja que la tierra se seque un poco.

kohm-PROO-eh-bah ehl dreh-NAH-heh ee DEH-hah keh lah TYEH-rrah seh SEH-keh oon POH-koh. Check the drainage and let the soil dry a little.
A

La maceta no tiene ningún agujero en el fondo, y ese puede ser el problema.

lah mah-SEH-tah noh TYEH-neh neen-GOON ah-gweh-ROH en ehl FOHN-doh, ee EH-seh PWEH-deh sehr ehl proh-BLEH-mah. The pot has no hole at the bottom, which may be the problem.
B

Las raíces pueden sufrir cuando el agua no tiene adónde salir.

lahs RAH-ee-ses PWEH-dehn soo-FREER KWAHN-doh ehl AH-gwah noh TYEH-neh ah-DOHN-deh sah-LEER. Roots can suffer when water has nowhere to escape.
A

¿Debería acercarla también a la ventana?

deh-beh-REE-ah ah-sehr-KAHR-lah tahm-BYEN ah lah ben-TAH-nah. Should I move it closer to the window too?
B

Intenta cambiar una cosa cada vez para poder saber qué ayuda.

een-TEN-tah kahm-BYAHR OO-nah KOH-sah KAH-dah BES pah-rah poh-DEHR sah-BEHR keh ah-YOO-dah. Try changing one thing at a time so you can tell what helps.
A

Entonces la cambiaré de maceta y la regaré menos esta semana.

en-TOHN-sehs lah kahm-bya-RAY deh mah-SEH-tah ee lah reh-gah-RAY MEH-nohs EH-stah seh-MAH-nah. Then I will repot it and water it less this week.
B

Cuidar las plantas consiste sobre todo en observar y hacer pequeños ajustes.

kwee-DAHR lahs PLAHN-tahs kohn-SEES-teh soh-BREH TOH-doh en ohb-sehr-BAHR ee ah-SEHR peh-KEH-nyohs ah-HOOS-tehs. Plant care is mostly observation and small adjustments.

Word by Word

Mi “Mi” means “my” in “Mi planta” and identifies the plant as belonging to the speaker. It comes directly before the noun, as in “mi casa” in a new example. You can use it when talking about your own things or people.
planta “Planta” means “plant” in “Mi planta”. It is the noun being described as wilting, and it can be used with words such as “la” or “una” in new examples. Use it when discussing a plant at home or elsewhere.
se In “se está marchitando”, “se” helps present the plant as undergoing the process of wilting rather than showing an action directed at another object. The same pattern appears in “se seque”, where the soil undergoes the process of drying. Use this kind of construction for processes that happen to the subject.
está “Está” means “is” in “se está marchitando” and places the wilting process in the plant’s current state. It is a form of “estar” used with the ongoing form “marchitando”. Use “estar” with a current condition or ongoing process in new examples.
marchitando “Marchitando” means “wilting” in “se está marchitando”. Together with “se está”, it describes the plant becoming wilted now. Use it when describing a plant or flower that is losing firmness or freshness.
aunque “Aunque” means “even though” in “aunque la riego a menudo” and introduces a fact that contrasts with the main result. It connects the frequent watering with the unexpected wilting. Use it to add a concession in situations such as explaining an unexpected problem.
la In “la riego”, “la” means “it” and refers to the feminine noun “planta”; in “La maceta”, it means “the” before the noun. The first use is an object pronoun, while the second introduces a noun. Use the correct form according to whether it refers back to an object or introduces a feminine noun.
riego “Riego” means “I water” in “la riego a menudo”. It is the speaker’s action toward the plant, with “la” placed before it as the object. The citation form is “regar”; use it when saying that you water a plant or another object in a new example.
a In “a menudo”, “a” is part of the expression meaning “often”; in “a la ventana”, it marks movement toward the window. Its meaning therefore depends on the construction it belongs to. Use “a menudo” for frequency and “a” before a destination or endpoint in movement expressions.
menudo “Menudo” contributes to the expression “a menudo”, which means “often” in this dialogue. It should be learned together with “a” here rather than translated separately. Use “a menudo” when describing an action that happens frequently.
Puede “Puede que” introduces a possibility: here, “Puede que tenga demasiada agua” means that the plant may have too much water. The capital letter appears because the expression begins the sentence; “puede” appears later in “ese puede ser”. Use “Puede que” before a possible explanation or situation.
que In “Puede que tenga demasiada agua”, “que” introduces the situation being considered possible. It links “Puede” with the clause about the plant having too much water. Use “puede que” as a reusable pattern when presenting a possibility.
tenga “Tenga” means “have” in “Puede que tenga demasiada agua”, referring to the plant’s possible amount of water. It completes the possibility introduced by “Puede que”. Use “Puede que tenga...” with a noun when suggesting that something may possess or contain something.
demasiada “Demasiada” means “too much” in “demasiada agua” and describes an excessive amount of water. It appears directly before the noun “agua” and matches the form used with that noun here. Use it before a noun when an amount is more than appropriate.
agua “Agua” means “water” in both “demasiada agua” and “muy poca”. The dialogue contrasts an excessive amount with a very small amount. Use it when discussing watering, drinking, or the amount of water available.
en In “en vez de muy poca”, “en” is part of the expression “en vez de”, meaning “instead of”. It introduces the alternative being contrasted with too much water. Use “en vez de” to choose or compare one option with another.
vez In “en vez de”, “vez” is part of the expression meaning “instead of”. In “cada vez”, it refers to each occasion, as in “una cosa cada vez”. Use “vez” within these expressions when contrasting options or referring to repeated occasions.
de In “en vez de muy poca”, “de” completes the expression “en vez de”, meaning “instead of”. The expression introduces the alternative amount being discussed. Use “en vez de” before a noun, phrase, or action that is chosen as the alternative.
muy “Muy” means “very” in “muy poca” and strengthens the small amount being described. It comes directly before “poca”. Use “muy” before an adjective or adverb when you want to intensify its meaning.
poca “Poca” means “little” in “muy poca”, referring to a small amount of water. It supplies the alternative to “demasiada agua” in the same sentence. Use it with an uncounted amount when saying that there is not much of something.
Pensé “Pensé” means “I thought” in “Pensé que más agua la ayudaría”. It introduces the speaker’s earlier belief about what would help the plant. The citation form is “pensar”; use it when explaining a past belief or opinion.
más “Más” means “more” in “más agua” and indicates a greater amount of water. It comes before the noun it describes. Use it to compare amounts or recommend an increased quantity in a new example.
ayudaría “Ayudaría” means “would help” in “la ayudaría a recuperarse”. It presents the expected result of giving the plant more water. The citation form is “ayudar”; use “ayudaría a” before an action when describing what would help someone or something do it.
recuperarse “Recuperarse” means “to recover” in “la ayudaría a recuperarse”, referring to the plant returning to a healthier condition. The final “se” belongs to the recovery expression. Use “ayudar a alguien o algo a recuperarse” when describing support for recovery.
Comprueba “Comprueba” means “check” in “Comprueba el drenaje” and gives a direct instruction to inspect something. It is followed here by the object “el drenaje”. Use it when asking someone to verify a condition or detail.
el “El” means “the” in “el drenaje” and introduces the masculine noun that is being checked. It comes directly before the noun. Use it before a specific masculine noun in a new example.
drenaje “Drenaje” means “drainage” in “Comprueba el drenaje”. It refers to the way excess water can leave the pot. Use it when discussing whether water can flow away from soil or another container.
y “Y” means “and” in “Comprueba el drenaje y deja que la tierra se seque”. It joins two related instructions. Use it to connect actions that should be considered or carried out together.
deja “Deja que la tierra se seque” means “let the soil dry”, and “deja” expresses permission or instruction to allow that process. The citation form is “dejar”. Use “deja que” before a clause when telling someone to allow something to happen.
tierra “Tierra” means “soil” in “la tierra se seque”. It is the material in the pot that should become drier. Use it when talking about soil in a plant pot, garden, or other growing place.
seque In “la tierra se seque”, “seque” means “dry” and describes the soil becoming dry. Together with “se”, it presents drying as a process the soil undergoes after “deja que”. Use “dejar que” plus a process like this when explaining what should be allowed to happen.
un “Un” means “a” in “un poco” and forms the expression meaning “a little”. It comes before “poco” rather than introducing a separate object here. Use “un poco” when referring to a small amount or degree.
poco “Poco” means “a little” in “un poco” and indicates a small degree of drying. The full expression is “se seque un poco”. Use “un poco” after an action or description when the amount or degree is limited.
maceta “Maceta” means “plant pot” in “La maceta no tiene ningún agujero”. It is the container whose drainage is being examined. Use it when talking about the container in which a plant grows.
no “No” marks negation in “no tiene ningún agujero” and “no tiene adónde salir”. It states that the pot lacks a hole and that the water has no place to escape. Use it before the verb to make a statement negative.
tiene “Tiene” means “has” in “La maceta no tiene ningún agujero” and “el agua no tiene adónde salir”. The citation form is “tener”. Use it with a subject when describing what someone or something has, contains, or possesses.
ningún “Ningún” means “no” or “not any” in “no tiene ningún agujero”. Together with “no”, it emphasizes that the pot has no hole at all. Use it before a singular masculine noun when saying that there is not any of something.
agujero “Agujero” means “hole” in “ningún agujero”. The dialogue identifies the absence of this hole as a possible cause of the plant problem. Use it when describing an opening in a pot, wall, fabric, or other object.
fondo “Fondo” means “bottom” in “en el fondo”, referring to the bottom of the pot. The complete phrase “en el fondo” specifies where the hole would be. Use it with “en el” to identify the bottom or deepest part of something.
ese “Ese” means “that” in “ese puede ser el problema” and points back to the missing hole just mentioned. It identifies that particular detail as a possible cause. Use it to refer back to a specific masculine noun or previously mentioned detail.
ser “Ser” means “be” in “puede ser el problema”. It links the possible cause, “ese”, with the description “el problema”. Use “puede ser” before a noun or description when identifying a possible explanation.
problema “Problema” means “problem” in “puede ser el problema”. It names the issue that may explain why the plant is wilting. Use it when identifying a difficulty or cause that needs attention.
Las “Las” means “the” in “Las raíces” and introduces the plural feminine noun “raíces”. The capital letter appears because it begins the sentence; “las” appears later in “cuidar las plantas”. Use it before a specific plural feminine noun.
raíces “Raíces” means “roots” in “Las raíces pueden sufrir”. These are the parts of the plant that may be harmed when water cannot escape. Use it when discussing the underground parts of a plant.
sufrir “Sufrir” means “suffer” in “Las raíces pueden sufrir”. It describes the possible harm caused by trapped water. Use “pueden sufrir” when explaining that people, animals, or plants may experience harm or difficulty.
cuando “Cuando” means “when” in “cuando el agua no tiene adónde salir”. It introduces the condition under which the roots may suffer. Use it to connect an event or result with the time or situation in which it occurs.
adónde “Adónde” means “where to” in “no tiene adónde salir”. It asks or describes the destination toward which the water could escape. Use it with a movement verb when referring to a possible destination.
salir “Salir” means “come out” or “escape” in “el agua no tiene adónde salir”. It describes water leaving the pot. Use it with “de” or a destination when talking about something moving out or away in a new example.
Debería “Debería” means “should” in “¿Debería acercarla también a la ventana?”. It introduces the speaker’s question about whether moving the plant is advisable. The citation form is “deber”; use “debería” when asking for or giving advice.
acercarla “Acercarla” means “move it closer” in “acercarla también a la ventana”. The final “la” refers to the plant, and the complete expression keeps the object attached to the action. Use “acercar” plus an object and a destination when moving something nearer.
también “También” means “also” or “too” in “acercarla también a la ventana”. It adds moving the plant closer to the window to the other possible changes. Use it when adding an action or fact to something already mentioned.
ventana “Ventana” means “window” in “a la ventana”. It is the destination toward which the plant might be moved. Use it when discussing a window as a source of light or a location in a room.
Intenta “Intenta cambiar una cosa cada vez” means “try changing one thing at a time”, so “Intenta” introduces advice to make an effort. The citation form is “intentar”. Use “intenta” before an action when encouraging someone to try it.
cambiar “Cambiar” means “change” in “Intenta cambiar una cosa cada vez”. It refers to altering one care condition, such as the pot or watering. Use “intentar cambiar” before the thing or condition that should be altered.
una “Una” means “one” or “a” in “una cosa cada vez”. It limits the plan to a single thing on each occasion. Use it before a singular feminine noun when referring to one item or an unspecified item.
cosa “Cosa” means “thing” in “una cosa cada vez”. It refers generally to one care change without naming a particular one. Use it when the exact item is understood from the context or does not need to be specified.
cada “Cada” means “each” or “every” in “cada vez”. It distributes the action across individual occasions. Use it directly before a singular noun in patterns such as “cada día” in a new example.
para “Para poder saber qué ayuda” means “in order to be able to know what helps”, so “para” introduces the purpose of changing one thing at a time. It is followed here by an infinitive phrase. Use “para” plus an infinitive to explain the purpose of an action.
poder “Poder” means “be able to” in “para poder saber qué ayuda”. It expresses the ability that the suggested method will provide. Use “poder” before another infinitive when describing what someone can or will be able to do.
saber “Saber” means “know” in “poder saber qué ayuda”. It refers to identifying which change is beneficial. Use “saber” before information or a question clause when saying that someone knows the answer or result.
qué “Qué” means “what” in “saber qué ayuda”. It introduces the information the speaker wants to identify: which thing helps. The accent marks it as an interrogative form inside this embedded question. Use it before a verb when asking or identifying what something is or does.
ayuda “Ayuda” means “helps” in “qué ayuda”. It describes the beneficial effect that the speaker wants to identify. The citation form is “ayudar”; use it when saying that a person, action, or thing provides help.
Entonces “Entonces” means “then” in “Entonces la cambiaré de maceta”. It signals the speaker’s next decision after hearing the advice. Use it to introduce a consequence, conclusion, or next step.
cambiaré “Cambiaré” means “I will change” in “la cambiaré de maceta”. It states the speaker’s planned future action, specifically moving the plant to a different pot. The citation form is “cambiar”; use it when announcing a future change.
regaré “Regaré” means “I will water” in “la regaré menos esta semana”. It states the speaker’s plan to give the plant less water. The citation form is “regar”; use it when describing a future watering action.
menos “Menos” means “less” in “la regaré menos”. It reduces the amount or frequency of watering compared with before. Use it after an action when saying that something will be done to a lesser degree.
esta “Esta” means “this” in “esta semana” and points to the current or relevant week. It comes before the noun it specifies. Use it before a singular feminine time expression or other feminine noun when referring to the current one.
semana “Semana” means “week” in “esta semana”. It identifies the period during which the speaker plans to water less. Use it with time words such as “esta” when setting a plan or deadline.
Cuidar “Cuidar” means “to care for” in “Cuidar las plantas consiste...”. The infinitive presents plant care as the topic of the statement. Use “cuidar” before a person, animal, or thing when describing the activity of looking after it.
plantas “Plantas” means “plants” in “cuidar las plantas”. It refers generally to the plants being cared for in the final statement. Use it when discussing more than one plant or plants as a general subject.
consiste “Consiste en observar y hacer pequeños ajustes” means “consists of observing and making small adjustments”, so “consiste” presents what plant care involves. The citation form is “consistir”, commonly used with “en” before the activities or elements that make up something. Use it to explain what an activity or process involves.
sobre In “sobre todo”, “sobre” contributes to the expression meaning “mostly” or “above all”. It should be understood together with “todo” here, not as the separate meaning “above”. Use “sobre todo” to emphasize the main part of an activity or description.
todo In “sobre todo”, “todo” contributes to the meaning “mostly” or “above all”. The full expression modifies “observar y hacer pequeños ajustes” by identifying these as the main parts of plant care. Use “sobre todo” when emphasizing what matters most.
observar “Observar” means “observe” in “observar y hacer pequeños ajustes”. It refers to watching the plant and its conditions before deciding what to change. Use it as an infinitive when describing observation as part of a method or activity.
hacer “Hacer” means “make” or “do” in “hacer pequeños ajustes”. It describes carrying out small changes to the plant-care routine. Use “hacer” before a noun such as “ajustes” when describing an action or change being carried out.
pequeños “Pequeños” means “small” in “pequeños ajustes”. It describes the adjustments as limited rather than major changes. It comes before the plural masculine noun “ajustes”; use it with a plural masculine noun when describing small items or changes.
ajustes “Ajustes” means “adjustments” in “hacer pequeños ajustes”. It refers to small changes made to improve the plant’s condition, such as changing the pot or watering less. Use it when describing controlled changes to a routine, setting, or process.

Grammar Points

se está + gerundio

La planta se está marchitando.

lah PLAHN-tah seh es-TAH mar-chee-TAHN-doh.

The plant is wilting.

Spanish uses estar + gerundio for an action in progress; se marks the reflexive verb.

en vez de + infinitivo

En vez de regar, comprueba el drenaje.

en BES deh reh-GAHR, kohm-PROO-eh-bah ehl dre-NAH-heh.

Instead of watering, check the drainage.

En vez de is followed by an infinitive to express an alternative action.

Spanish Vocabulary

a menudo adv
ah meh-NOO-doh often

riego a menudo

aunque conj
AHN-kay even though

aunque la riego a menudo

ayudar verb
ah-yoo-DAHR to help ayudaría

la ayudaría a recuperarse

comprobar verb
kohm-proh-BAHR to check Comprueba

Comprueba el drenaje

demasiado det
deh-mah-SYAH-doh too much demasiada

demasiada agua

en vez de prep
en BES deh instead of

en vez de muy poca

marchitarse verb
mar-chee-TAHR-seh to wilt se está marchitando

se está marchitando

pensar verb
pen-SAHR to think Pensé

Pensé que más agua

planta noun
PLAHN-tah plant

Mi planta

recuperarse verb
reh-koo-peh-RAHR-seh to recover

a recuperarse

regar verb
reh-GAHR to water riego

la riego a menudo

tener verb
teh-NEHR to have tenga

Puede que tenga demasiada agua

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Should I move it closer to the window too?

Show Answer¿Debería acercarla también a la ventana?

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

too much

Show Answerdemasiada

even though

Show Answeraunque

to water

Show Answerriego

plant

Show Answerplanta