How to Fix Root Rot in Houseplants

Root rot is one of the most common ways houseplants die, and it almost always starts with soil that stays wet for too long. Caught early, most plants can be saved. 100% Local

How to recognise root rot

Above the soil, a plant with rotting roots often looks like it is thirsty: leaves yellow, droop and fall, yet the soil stays damp. Below the soil the roots tell the real story.

Yellowing, drooping or mushy leaves that do not recover after watering.
Soil that stays wet for many days or smells sour.
Roots that are brown, black or soft instead of firm and pale.
A stem that feels soft or collapses near the soil line.

Why it happens

Root rot is usually a watering problem rather than a disease that appears from nowhere. Frequent watering, a pot with no drainage, a heavy mix, an oversized pot or a cool dark position all keep roots wet for too long. In those conditions the roots suffocate and fungi take hold.

Step-by-step fix

Remove the plant from its pot and gently shake off the old mix.
Rinse the roots so you can see which are healthy and which are not.
Cut away every soft, brown or black root with clean, sharp shears.
Repot into fresh, airy mix in a clean pot with drainage holes.
Wait a few days before watering, and keep the plant in bright indirect light.

If most of the roots are gone, it can help to trim some leaves so the reduced root system has less to support. With very little root left, rooting the plant in water or propagating a healthy cutting may be the safer route.

Aftercare

Treat the plant as recovering for a few weeks. Water sparingly, check the soil with your finger before every watering, and hold off on fertiliser until you see new growth. New pale roots and fresh leaves are the signs that the plant has turned the corner.

Prevention

Always use a pot with drainage holes.
Match pot size to the root ball rather than the plant's height.
Use an airy mix and let the top few centimetres dry between waterings.
Water by feel, not by a fixed schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a plant recover from root rot?

Often, yes, if enough healthy roots remain. Trim the rot, repot in fresh airy mix and water sparingly while it recovers.

Should I use hydrogen peroxide?

A dilute solution is sometimes used to flush the roots, but it is not essential. Removing the damaged roots and fixing the watering is what actually saves the plant.

How do I know it is working?

New pale roots and fresh leaves within a few weeks are the signs. If the stem stays soft, take a healthy cutting as a backup.

General horticultural guidance for planning only. Verify locally.