Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Touch the top inch of soil to see if it is wet.
- Lift the plant to check if the pot feels heavy.
- Inspect the roots for a foul smell or dark color.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil stays wet for weeks and the base of the stems feels soft or mushy.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the soil dry out. If the plant is severely affected, remove it from the pot, trim away any black or slimy roots, and repot into fresh, well draining soil.
Poor Drainage
PossibleHow to tell: Water pools at the bottom of the pot or the drainage holes are blocked.
What to do: Ensure your pot has holes at the bottom. Use a chunky potting mix with perlite to help water move through the soil more quickly.
Find out what's wrong with your chinese evergreen
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
If the stems are turning yellow and mushy at the base, the rot has likely spread to the main structure of the plant.
Stopping it coming back
Always wait until the top inch of soil is dry before adding more water.
Chinese Evergreen: root rot? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your chinese evergreen 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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Can I save a plant with root rot?
- Yes, if you catch it early. Trim the dead roots and repot in dry soil, then wait a few days before watering again.
- How often should I water?
- Every 7 to 14 days is typical, but always check the soil moisture first.
More problems with Chinese Evergreen
- What are these white cottony spots on my Chinese Evergreen?
- Why are my Aglaonema leaves turning yellow?
- Why are there dark spots on my Chinese Evergreen leaves?
- Why are my Aglaonema leaf tips turning brown?
- Why is my Aglaonema drooping?
- Why is my Aglaonema losing leaves?
- Why is my Chinese Evergreen looking leggy?
- Why are my Aglaonema leaves curling?
Back to the Chinese Evergreen guide
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.