This product is not available right now.
Root Rot: How to Avoid it, and How to Fix It
Root rot is one of the most common and most preventable problems in potted plants. It happens when roots sit in too much moisture for too long, causing them to decay and lose their ability to take up water and nutrients. Left unchecked, root rot can kill a plant quickly, but the good news is that it's easy to prevent with proper watering and drainage, and often possible to fix if you catch it early. Here's everything you need to know about preventing and treating root rot.
At Léon & George, our master gardeners have spent nearly a decade growing premium plants and helping thousands of plant parents nationwide, so the guidance here comes straight from hands-on experience.
What Is Root Rot?
Root rot is exactly what it sounds like: the decay of a plant's roots, caused by overwatering, poor drainage, or both. When soil stays waterlogged, the roots can't access oxygen and begin to suffocate and rot, often made worse by fungal growth in the soggy soil. While it can affect outdoor plants, root rot is far more common in potted indoor plants, where excess water has nowhere to go. Caught early, it's treatable, but it can lead to the rapid decline of a plant if ignored.
Signs of Root Rot
Catching root rot early is crucial to saving your plant. The most common signs include significant yellowing and wilting of the leaves, dark brown spots or edges on the foliage (especially common on Fiddle Leaf Figs), stunted growth, mushy or discolored roots, and heavily dampened soil that never seems to dry out.
How to Prevent Root Rot
Preventing root rot comes down to watering and drainage:
- Ensure proper drainage. Always pot your plant in a container with drainage holes, or keep it in its plastic nursery pot inside a decorative planter.
- Keep a consistent watering schedule. Sporadic watering doesn't give the soil time to dry out, which invites rot.
- Check the soil before watering. Most plants like to dry out a bit, so wait until the top two inches of soil are dry before watering again.
- Aerate the soil. Loosening the soil occasionally improves water distribution and oxygen flow to the roots, preventing moisture buildup.
How to Fix Root Rot
If you catch root rot early, you can often save your plant by acting fast:
- Diagnose the problem. Remove the plant from its pot and inspect the roots. Healthy roots are firm and light-colored; rotten roots are soft, brown, and mushy.
- Clean the roots. Remove as much soil as possible and cut away all affected roots with clean shears. Rinse the remaining healthy roots under running water.
- Repot in fresh soil. Replant in a clean pot with proper drainage and fresh, well-draining soil. If you removed a lot of roots, prune some of the top growth so the plant has less foliage to support.
- Place in a bright spot. Set the plant in bright, indirect light and water only when the top of the soil is dry. With time, it should recover and put out healthy new growth.
A Simple Tool to Prevent Root Rot
Since root rot almost always comes down to too much water, a moisture meter is one of the easiest ways to prevent it. It tells you exactly when the soil has dried out enough to water again, taking the guesswork out of your routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does root rot look like?
Healthy roots are firm and light-colored, while rotten roots are soft, brown or black, and mushy, often with a foul smell. Above the soil, root rot shows up as yellowing, wilting leaves, brown spots, and soil that stays wet for a long time.
Can a plant recover from root rot?
Yes, if caught early. Remove the plant from its pot, cut away all the mushy roots, rinse the healthy ones, and repot in fresh, well-draining soil. Severe cases where most of the roots have rotted are harder to save.
What causes root rot?
Root rot is caused by overwatering and poor drainage, which leave roots sitting in waterlogged soil with no access to oxygen. Pots without drainage holes and inconsistent watering are the most common culprits.
How do I prevent root rot?
Use a pot with drainage holes, let the top two inches of soil dry out between waterings, keep a consistent watering schedule, and aerate the soil occasionally. Proper drainage is the single most important factor.
Should I cut off rotten roots?
Yes. Removing all the soft, brown, mushy roots with clean shears is essential, because rot spreads. After trimming, rinse the remaining healthy roots and repot in fresh soil to give the plant a fresh start.