Root rot in house plants: signs and how to save the plant

Roots in wet soil run out of air and begin to rot. Rotten roots cannot take up water, so the plant wilts. Act fast to save the plant.

This is general care advice. Check the label of your plant. Keep toxic plants away from pets and children.

What you need

Check for the signs. Wet soil, wilting, yellow leaves, a bad smell, fungus gnats.
Tip the plant out of its pot. Hold it by the base of the stems. Put newspaper under it.
Look at the roots. Healthy roots are firm and pale. Rotten roots are mushy, dark brown or black, and smell bad.
Shake off the old soil. Rinse the roots in water. This lets you see which roots are bad.
Cut off all mushy, dark roots with clean scissors. Cut back to firm, pale root.
Wipe the scissors with alcohol after each plant.
Take the old soil away. Clean the pot, or use a new pot with holes. Choose a pot that is the same size or a little smaller if you cut away a lot of roots.
Plant the roots in fresh, airy mix. Add perlite or bark to the mix. See the aeration guide.
Water lightly. Then wait until the soil is dry 2 to 3 cm down. Water less than before.
Put the plant in bright, indirect light. Do not feed for 4 to 6 weeks. New roots need time to grow.

Answer the questions. The guide shows what to do.

Is the soil wet for days, and does the plant wilt or smell bad?

If all roots are rotten, the plant may not live. Try stem cuttings from healthy parts.
Do not feed a plant with rotten roots. Fertilizer burns weak roots.
Do not use the same scissors on other plants before you clean them.

Look for wet soil, wilting, a bad smell and mushy dark roots. Take the plant out of the pot to check.

Yes, if some firm roots remain. Cut off the rotten roots, repot in fresh mix and water less.

Soil that stays wet. Common causes are too much water, a pot with no holes, and dense soil.