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Check these first
- Check if the soil feels soggy or smells sour.
- Inspect the drainage holes to ensure they are not blocked.
- Lift the pot to see if it feels unusually heavy.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves turn yellow or brown and the base of the stems feels mushy.
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.
Poor Drainage
PossibleHow to tell: Water sits in the saucer for hours after you water the plant.
What to do: Ensure your pot has holes at the bottom. Empty the saucer 15 minutes after watering so the plant never sits in standing water.
Find out what's wrong with your lesser 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
If the stems are soft and mushy at the base, the rot is advanced and you may need to trim away dead roots.
Stopping it coming back
Always use a fast draining potting mix and only water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Lesser Galangal: root rot? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your lesser 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?
- Yes, if you catch it early. Trim away the black, mushy roots and repot in fresh, dry soil.
- How often should I water?
- Check the soil every 3 to 7 days. Only water when the top layer feels dry.
More problems with Lesser Galangal
- Why does my Lesser Galangal have pests?
- Why are my Lesser Galangal's leaves getting brown tips?
- Why are my Lesser Galangal leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my Lesser Galangal not flowering?
- Why is my Lesser Galangal drooping?
- Why is my Lesser Galangal losing its leaves?
- Why does my Lesser Galangal have spots on its leaves?
- Why is my Lesser Galangal growing so leggy?
- Why are my Lesser Galangal leaves curling?
Back to the Lesser Galangal 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.