Can I save a plant with root rot?

If you catch it early, you can trim away the black, mushy roots with sterile scissors and repot in fresh, dry soil. If the rot has reached the trunk, the plant likely cannot be saved.

How often should I check the soil?

Check the moisture level once a week. This helps you stay on top of the 7 to 14 day watering cycle.

Queensland kauri: root rot, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check the drainage holes for blockages.
Insert a wooden skewer into the soil to test for deep moisture.
Smell the soil for signs of decay.

Likely causes

Poor drainage
Most likely
How to tell: The soil feels soggy and smells sour or musty. You might see the base of the trunk softening.
What to do: Repot the plant immediately into a container with large drainage holes. Use a well draining potting mix amended with perlite or pumice to ensure water flows through freely.
Overwatering
Most likely
How to tell: The soil surface never dries out between waterings. The plant looks wilted even though the soil is wet.
What to do: Wait until the top 2 to 3 inches of soil are dry before watering again. Adjust your schedule to every 7 to 14 days depending on your home temperature.

Root rot in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your queensland kauri

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

If the trunk base feels mushy or the roots are black and slimy, the plant is in critical condition. Some root loss is expected during repotting, but widespread decay is often fatal.

Stopping it coming back

Always use a pot with drainage holes and never let the plant sit in a saucer of standing water.

Queensland kauri: root rot? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your queensland kauri and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Can I save a plant with root rot?: If you catch it early, you can trim away the black, mushy roots with sterile scissors and repot in fresh, dry soil. If the rot has reached the trunk, the plant likely cannot be saved.
How often should I check the soil?: Check the moisture level once a week. This helps you stay on top of the 7 to 14 day watering cycle.

Why is my Queensland kauri suffering from root rot?