Root rot
Roots that rot in soggy soil, so the plant wilts even though the soil is wet.
What you'll see
- Wilting or drooping although the soil is moist, with no recovery after watering.
- Yellow or dull leaves, stunting and leaf drop.
- Brown or black, soft, mushy roots, often with a sour smell.
- Dark rot at the base of the stem.
Why it happens
Water molds and fungi attack roots sitting in waterlogged, poorly drained or compacted soil.
How to fix it
- Unpot the plant and cut rotten roots back to firm tissue with clean shears.
- Repot in fresh, airy mix in a clean pot with drainage holes, water once, then let it dry partly.
- Keep it in bright, indirect light, and don't feed it for 3 to 4 weeks while new roots grow.
Keep it from coming back
- Water only when the top of the mix starts to dry, and never leave pots standing in water.
- Use well-drained soil and pots with drainage holes.
- Don't bury the stem deeper than it was growing.
Read more
- How often to water houseplants
- Overwatering vs underwatering
- Watering houseplants in winter
- Self-watering pots: pros and cons
- Choosing a pot: size and drainage
- Potting mix basics
- When and how to repot a plant
- How to make a terrarium
- How to save a dying plant
- Rooting cuttings: water or soil?
- Hydroponics at home: the basics
Sources
- UC IPM: Root, stem and crown rots
- RHS: Phytophthora root rot
- Kindwise plant.health library: Root damage
General guidance, not a diagnosis. For valuable, edible or outdoor crops, check with a local extension service or plant expert. Use any product exactly as its label says, and keep children and pets away while it dries.