Can I save a plant with root rot?

If you catch it early and remove the damaged roots, you have a good chance of saving it. Repotting into dry, fresh soil is essential.

How often should I check the roots?

You do not need to check them unless the plant looks sickly or wilts constantly. Healthy plants have firm, light colored roots.

Common orache: root rot, causes and fixes

Check these first

Smell the soil for a sour or rotten odor.
Gently pull the plant to see if the roots are firm.
Check if the pot has drainage holes.

Likely causes

Waterlogged Soil
Most likely
How to tell: The plant wilts despite the soil being wet, and the roots look brown or black instead of white.
What to do: Gently remove the plant from its pot and trim away any mushy, dark roots with clean shears. Repot the plant into fresh, well draining soil and water sparingly.
Poor Drainage
Possible
How to tell: Water pools on the surface of the soil for a long time after watering.
What to do: Ensure your pot has adequate drainage holes at the bottom. You can also mix perlite into your potting soil to improve aeration.

Root rot in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your common orache

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

Worry if the stem base feels soft or mushy, as this often means the rot has spread too far. If the roots are mostly black and slimy, the plant may not recover.

Stopping it coming back

Always let the top layer of soil dry out before watering again and never let the pot sit in a saucer of water.

Common orache: root rot? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your common orache 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, you have a good chance of saving it. Repotting into dry, fresh soil is essential.
How often should I check the roots?: You do not need to check them unless the plant looks sickly or wilts constantly. Healthy plants have firm, light colored roots.

Is my Atriplex patula suffering from root rot?