How to Tell If a Plant Has Root Rot (and What to Do)
Root rot is when roots decay from sitting in soil that stays too wet, and the clearest sign is dark, mushy, foul-smelling roots. Above the soil, it often looks like a plant that wilts or yellows even though the soil is wet.
What are the symptoms above the soil?
- Yellowing or drooping leaves despite wet soil
- Soft, black, or brown stem near the base
- Stunted growth or leaf drop
- A sour or musty smell from the soil
- Soil that stays soggy for days
How do I check the roots?
Slide the plant gently out of the pot. Healthy roots are firm and pale, typically white or tan. Rotten roots are brown or black, soft or slimy, and often smell bad, and the outer layer may slip off when you touch them.
What causes it?
Overwatering, pots without drainage, heavy soil that holds water, and pots that are too large for the plant. Root rot is really a lack of oxygen and excess moisture around the roots, which lets rot-causing organisms take over.
What should I do?
- Remove the plant and rinse the roots to see them clearly.
- Trim away all soft, dark roots with clean scissors, keeping the healthy ones.
- Discard the old soil, and clean the pot or use a new one with drainage holes.
- Repot in fresh, well-draining mix, in a pot sized to the remaining roots.
- Water lightly and wait until the top of the soil dries before watering again.
Our full walkthrough is in how to save an overwatered plant.
Can it be saved?
If some healthy roots remain, often yes. If nearly everything is rotted, try taking healthy stem cuttings and propagating them in water.
How do I prevent it?
Use a pot with drainage holes, a well-draining soil, and water only when the plant needs it. See do houseplants need drainage holes?.
Related reading: Overwatering vs underwatering
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