Can I save a plant with root rot?

If you catch it early, yes. Trim the dead roots, repot in fresh soil, and be very careful with your watering for a few weeks.

How often should I water to avoid this?

Most Chenille plants need water every 3 to 7 days. Always check that the top inch of soil is dry before adding more water.

Chenille plant: root rot, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check the soil moisture by sticking your finger an inch into the dirt.
Look for water standing in the decorative pot or saucer.
Smell the soil for a sour or rotten odor.

Likely causes

Overwatering
Possible
How to tell: The leaves turn yellow and wilt even though the soil is wet. The stems may feel soft or mushy near the base.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top 2 inches of soil dry out. If the plant does not recover, you may need to repot it into fresh, well draining soil and trim away any black, mushy roots.
Poor drainage
Possible
How to tell: Water sits in the saucer or the soil stays soggy for more than a week. The plant looks generally unhappy and stops growing.
What to do: Ensure your pot has drainage holes at the bottom. Use a potting mix amended with perlite to improve airflow to the roots.

Find out what's wrong with your chenille plant

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

When to worry

Root rot is serious and can kill the plant if left unchecked. If the stems are mushy all the way to the soil line, it may be too late to save it.

Stopping it coming back

Always check the soil before you water, and never let your plant sit in a saucer of standing water.

Keep your chenille plant healthy from here

Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.

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Questions people ask

Can I save a plant with root rot?: If you catch it early, yes. Trim the dead roots, repot in fresh soil, and be very careful with your watering for a few weeks.
How often should I water to avoid this?: Most Chenille plants need water every 3 to 7 days. Always check that the top inch of soil is dry before adding more water.

How do I know if my Chenille plant has root rot?