Omg, if there is one thing we CANNOT stand here at We the Wild HQ, it's “root rot”. Not only is it gross, but it's one of those issues that, left untreated, means a slow and painful death for your beloved houseplants. But, what even is root rot? If root rot happens below the soil, how do you even know if your plant has it? Don't worry, we're going to walk you through how root rot is caused in houseplants, and some sure fire tips to spot it before it becomes too late. 

What Is Root Rot In Houseplants?

So really, root rot is exactly what it says on the tin. It's where the root tissue starts to decay and rot away. Generally, rotting happens as the organic cells start to become weak, which allows pathogens to enter the tissue of the plant, causing it to rot. These pathogens (organic decaying microbes) feed off the weak cells, causing the roots to rot. 

 

How Does Root Rot Happen? 

Notice how your skin softens and wrinkles after a loooong hot bath? If you're houseplant's roots are sitting in water for a long period of time, they can't get the oxygen they need which leads to root rot happening in your houseplants. Usually, it's because the soil is not draining well enough, or you are giving your houseplant's too much water. Once the roots of your houseplants have root rot, they can't absorb the vital nutrients and moisture properly, so your houseplant is going to become weaker and sicker over time. 

 

What Are The 5 Signs That My Houseplant Has Root Rot?

This is why root rot can be so annoying. It's a silent, under-the-soil disease. Some of these top houseplant signs can help you start to isolate and identify the problem with your houseplants though: 

Your houseplants are wilting even though the soil is moist

Are you noticing that the leaves on your plant are continuously drooping? This can be caused because the nutrients in the soil are not being absorbed by rotting roots. Check the soil - is it moist? If so, your houseplant could have root rot. 

The leaves on your houseplant is yellowing frequently

Ok, so yellowing leaves can be a sign of a lot of things, but if you're noticing yellowing leaves (and checked out our guide to decoding yellowing leaves in houseplants), AND you're noticing another of the symptoms listed here, it is likely that your houseplant has root rot. 

The stems of your houseplant is soft or mushy

Some plants have thick and juicy stems, rather than woody type stems. On these plants, a tell tale sign of root rot is that the juicy stems turn soft and mushy. You might see browning or a gel like substance forming on the stem. YUK! 

There is a gross smell coming from the soil

There's nothing better than the earthy, fresh smell of healthy roots and soil. NOT HERE! A plant with root rot will have a funky, musty smell coming from the soil. It can be so strong that you can actually smell it on the top of the soil! 

The roots of your houseplant are black or dark brown, and a bit slimy 

There's only one sure fire way to tell if your houseplant has root rot, and that's to inspect it. Use our mess free gardening mat, and remove your plant from its soil. Are the roots brown and mushy? Do they smell? You have root rot, my planty friend. Are they white, firm and earthy smelling? Then root rot is not the cause of these planty woes. 

How Do I Fix Root Rot In My Houseplants? 

If you have discovered that your plant has root rot early, there are some key things that you can do. Put on your Plant First Aid hate, and follow this step by step guide. 

Step 1: Take the Houseplant Out Of Its Pot

Remember that your houseplant could be damaged and fragile, so gently remove it from its pot and shake off all the excess soil. Put the old soil in a bag and securely tie it before adding to the trash. It will be full of nastiness, so don't put it with other healthy plant matter. 

Step 2: Trim Any Roots That Are Mushy, Brown, Smelly.

Sterilise some scissors with boiling water, and start your plant surgery. Snip off any roots, or sections of roots, that look to be rotting. Your plant will bounce back, so make sure you get it all!

Step 3: Rinse the Roots With Fresh Water

Run it under fresh tap water, and gently tease the roots. Look for any signs of root rot that you may have missed, and snip off any straggling rotted roots. Make sure the roots are clean as a whistle! 

Step 4: Let The Plant Roots Dry

This one is an important step, because fungi and microbes need a bit of moisture to survive. Let the roots dry out thoroughly in a shaded, cool position. Your plant will be fine for a couple of hours while these roots dry. 

Step 5: Repot in Fresh Soil, With Lots of Enrich Powder

Get a well draining soil mix, and prepare the hole where you will place your plant. Give a really good sprinkling of Enrich Powder. The beneficial fungi can act like little soldiers, going into battle for your plant and targeting the bad microbes. 2-3 tablespoons in the hole will be great. You can plonk your plant straight on top of the Enrich Powder, and finish repotting. 

Step 6: Let The Houseplant Recover

Give your plant a bit of space and time to recover. Water it sparingly with Grow Concentrate diluted into the water, and avoid spraying anything on its leaves. Usually, a spot with bright, indirect light will be great. 

 

There you have it! Following these tips, you'll be able to successfully identify and fight root rot in your houseplants. Happy planting! 

 

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