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Common agrimony · Agrimonia eupatoria

Why is my Agrimonia eupatoria rotting at the base?

Root rot is a serious issue for agrimony that usually stems from soil staying wet for too long. Check the soil moisture and the smell of the roots immediately.

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root rot on a plant
Photo: Ninjatacoshell, CC BY-SA 3.0

Check these first

  1. Smell the soil for a foul or rotten odor.
  2. Check if the soil is soggy or waterlogged.
  3. Inspect the roots for a slimy, dark, or mushy appearance.

Likely causes

  1. Overwatering

    Most likely

    How to tell: The base of the plant feels mushy and the soil emits a sour, swampy odor. Leaves may turn yellow or brown and collapse quickly.

    What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top 2 inches of soil dry out. If the plant is in a pot, ensure it has drainage holes and remove any standing water from the saucer.

  2. Poor Drainage

    Most likely

    How to tell: Water pools on the surface of the soil for a long time after watering. The soil feels dense and heavy rather than light and airy.

    What to do: Repot the plant into a container with plenty of drainage holes. Use a well draining potting mix amended with perlite to improve airflow around the roots.

Root rot in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your common agrimony

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.

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When to worry

If the stem base is soft and mushy, the plant may be too far gone to save. If you catch it early, the plant can often recover with better drainage.

Stopping it coming back

Only water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Always use a pot with drainage holes to prevent water from sitting at the bottom.

Common agrimony: root rot? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your common agrimony 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.

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Questions people ask

Can I save a plant with root rot?
Yes, if you catch it early. Trim away the mushy, black roots, repot in fresh soil, and water sparingly until new growth appears.
How often should I water my agrimony?
Check the soil every 5 to 10 days. Water only when the top inch feels dry, as this plant likes moisture but hates being waterlogged.

More problems with Common agrimony

Back to the Common agrimony 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.