Root Rot: How to Recognise It and Save the Plant

Owen Petrakis · Sep 16, 2026 · 4 min read

Quick answer

Root rot is the most common way houseplants die. Caught early, many plants can still be rescued.

Root rot happens when roots sit in soggy, airless soil. Starved of oxygen, they die and begin to decay, and fungi and bacteria move in. The plant then wilts as if it were thirsty, which tempts owners to water it even more.

The only way to confirm root rot is to look at the roots, so be ready to take the plant out of its pot.

Warning signs above the soil Check the roots Rescue steps If the roots are all gone Prevention

1 Warning signs above the soil

✓Wilting even though the soil is wet
✓Yellowing lower leaves that drop easily
✓A soft, dark stem base
✓A sour or rotten smell from the soil
✓Soil that stays wet for more than a week

2 Check the roots

Ease the plant out of its pot and gently loosen the soil. Healthy roots are firm and usually white or light tan. Rotten roots are brown or black, mushy, and may slide off when pulled.

3 Rescue steps

✓Rinse the old soil off the root ball
✓Cut away all soft, dark roots with clean, sharp scissors, wiping the blades between cuts
✓Trim back some foliage if most roots were lost, so the plant has less to support
✓Repot into fresh, well-draining mix in a clean pot with drainage holes
✓Water lightly and wait until the top of the soil dries before watering again

4 If the roots are all gone

If no healthy roots remain, take cuttings from healthy stems and propagate them. Many common plants, including pothos, philodendron, and tradescantia, root easily in water.

5 Prevention

Always use pots with drainage holes, empty saucers after watering, and choose a pot only slightly larger than the root ball.

This is general gardening information. Results depend on your climate, soil, and conditions. Follow label directions for any fertiliser or treatment, and check whether plants are toxic to pets or children before bringing them home.

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