Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Smell the soil for a foul odor.
- Gently pull the plant to see if it is loose in the soil.
- Inspect the roots for a brown or slimy appearance.
Likely causes
Poor drainage
Most likelyHow to tell: The plant looks limp and the soil smells sour or musty.
What to do: Remove the plant from the pot and trim away any black, mushy roots. Repot in fresh, well draining soil and ensure the pot has holes.
Excessive watering
PossibleHow to tell: The base of the stems feels soft or mushy to the touch.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and allow the soil to dry out significantly. Adjust your schedule to ensure the soil is damp but not sitting in water.
Find out what's wrong with your galangal
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
Root rot is very serious and can kill the plant quickly if not addressed. If the entire root system is mushy, the plant may not be salvageable.
Stopping it coming back
Always use a well draining potting mix and never let the pot sit in a saucer of standing water.
Galangal: root rot? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your galangal 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 and remove the damaged roots, you can often save the plant. Repotting in fresh soil is essential.
- How often should I check the roots?
- You do not need to check the roots unless the plant shows signs of distress. Focus on keeping the soil moisture balanced instead.
More problems with Galangal
- Why are my galangal leaves turning yellow?
- Why are my galangal leaf tips turning brown?
- Why is my galangal plant not flowering?
- Why is my galangal plant growing so leggy?
- Why is my galangal plant drooping?
- Why is my Galangal dropping its leaves?
- Why are there spots on my Galangal leaves?
- How do I get rid of pests on my Galangal?
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.