Can I save a plant with root rot?

If you catch it early and remove the damaged roots, the plant can recover. It will need time to grow a new, healthy root system.

How often should I water to avoid rot?

Water every 3 to 7 days, but only when the top inch of soil feels dry. Never water on a strict calendar if the soil is still damp.

Black spleenwort: root rot, causes and fixes

Check these first

Smell the soil for a sour or rotten odor.
Inspect the roots for a slimy or black appearance.
Verify that the pot has drainage holes.

Likely causes

Overwatering
Most likely
How to tell: The fronds turn yellow or mushy, and the soil stays wet for days. The base of the plant might feel soft or slimy.
What to do: Remove the plant from its pot and trim away any black, mushy roots with sterilized shears. Repot the fern into fresh, well draining soil and ensure the pot has drainage holes.
Poor Drainage
Possible
How to tell: Water pools on the surface of the soil after you water. The plant looks wilted even though the soil is saturated.
What to do: Ensure your pot has holes at the bottom. If it does not, move the plant to a container that allows excess water to escape.

Root rot in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your black spleenwort

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.

When to worry

If the entire root system is black and mushy, the plant may be beyond saving. Act quickly at the first sign of yellowing fronds.

Stopping it coming back

Never let the plant sit in standing water in a saucer. Always check the top inch of soil before adding more water.

Black spleenwort: root rot? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your black spleenwort 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.

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, the plant can recover. It will need time to grow a new, healthy root system.
How often should I water to avoid rot?: Water every 3 to 7 days, but only when the top inch of soil feels dry. Never water on a strict calendar if the soil is still damp.

How do I fix root rot on my Black spleenwort?