Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Smell the soil for a sour or rotten odor.
- Gently lift the plant to see if the roots are brown and mushy.
- Check if the pot is sitting in standing water.
Likely causes
Poor Drainage
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil stays wet for a long time and the plant looks wilted or yellow.
What to do: Repot the plant into a fresh, well draining potting mix. Trim away any mushy, brown, or smelly roots before replanting.
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The stems feel soft near the base and the plant is drooping.
What to do: Reduce your watering frequency immediately. Only water when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch.
Find out what's wrong with your peruvian lily
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 base of the stems is mushy and black, the rot may be too advanced to save the plant. Act as soon as you notice wilting.
Stopping it coming back
Always use a pot with drainage holes and never let the plant sit in a saucer of water.
Peruvian Lily: root rot? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your peruvian lily 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. Make sure to use fresh, sterile soil.
- How often should I water to avoid rot?
- Water every 3 to 7 days, but always check the soil moisture first. If it is still damp, wait another day or two.
More problems with Peruvian Lily
- Why are my Peruvian lily leaves turning yellow?
- How do I get rid of pests on my Peruvian lily?
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- Why is my Alstroemeria not blooming?
- Why is my Alstroemeria growing so tall and thin?
- Why are my Alstroemeria tips turning brown?
- Why is my Peruvian Lily drooping?
- Why is my Alstroemeria losing its leaves?
- Why are my Alstroemeria leaves curling?
Back to the Peruvian Lily 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.