Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Check if the soil is soggy or smells bad.
- Inspect the drainage holes for blockages.
- Feel if the soil is wet deeper than the top inch.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The base of the grass feels mushy and the soil smells sour or swampy.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top 2 inches of soil dry out. If the soil is heavy, repot the plant into a well-draining mix with perlite or sand.
Poor Drainage
PossibleHow to tell: Water sits on the surface of the soil for a long time after you water.
What to do: Ensure your pot has large drainage holes at the bottom. Elevate the pot slightly on feet to allow air to circulate underneath.
Find out what's wrong with your early hair-grass
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
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When to worry
If the entire clump turns brown and pulls away from the soil easily, the roots have likely died.
Stopping it coming back
Always wait until the top inch of soil is dry before adding more water.
Early hair-grass: root rot? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your early hair-grass 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?
- If you catch it early, you can trim away black, mushy roots and repot in fresh, dry soil. If the roots are mostly gone, it is usually best to start over.
- How often should I water?
- Water every 3 to 7 days, but only when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
More problems with early hair-grass
Back to the early hair-grass 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.