Common Plant Problems: Root Rot

Too much of a good thing can actually be fatal for your houseplants.

Growing up, we’re taught that plants need three things to thrive: soil, sunlight and water. So, when you bring home your first houseplant, it’s easy to water it a little too much trying to make sure it stays healthy. However, too much water can cause root rot, when funguses that thrive in overly wet soil attack a plant’s roots.

What You’ll Notice

If your favorite pothos or fiddle leaf fig tree seems to be heading downhill fast, here’s what to look for to see if you’ve given it a little too much H2O lately:

• Wilting leaves, even though the soil is moist
• Yellowing leaves
• Roots that appear brown, mushy, or that have a bad smell

Treat Your Plant

Bad news: not all plants with root rot make it. Good news: they stand a fighting chance with the right help.

• Take your plant out of its pot. Remove as much soil as possible by tapping it off gently, then rinsing the roots under water.
• Using sharp scissors, trim away any rotted roots. If you have to trim a lot, consider pruning some stems and leaves off as well so the roots don’t have so much to support while they recover.
• Toss out the plant’s old soil and disinfect its pot before repotting it in clean soil.