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Check these first
- Check the soil moisture by sticking your finger an inch deep.
- Inspect the drainage holes to ensure they are not blocked.
- Smell the soil for a musty or rotten odor.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves turn yellow or mushy, and the soil smells sour or swampy. You might notice the plant wilting even though the soil is wet.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top 2 inches of soil dry out completely. If the plant does not improve, gently remove it from the pot and trim away any black, slimy roots before repotting in fresh, well draining soil.
Poor Drainage
Most likelyHow to tell: Water sits on the surface of the soil for a long time after you water. The pot may lack holes or the soil mix is too dense and heavy.
What to do: Repot your plant into a container with plenty of drainage holes at the bottom. Mix in perlite or coarse sand to your potting soil to improve airflow and drainage.
Find out what's wrong with your common hedgenettle
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 turning black and mushy at the soil line, the rot has likely spread too far to save the plant. It is time to start over with a new plant.
Stopping it coming back
Always wait until the top inch of soil is dry before watering again. Use a pot with drainage holes to prevent water from sitting around the roots.
Common hedgenettle: root rot? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your common hedgenettle 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.
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Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
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Questions people ask
- Can I save a plant with root rot?
- Yes, if you catch it early. Trim the dead roots, repot in fresh soil, and be very careful not to overwater while it recovers.
- How often should I water my hedgenettle?
- Aim for every 5 to 7 days, but always check the soil first. If the top inch is still damp, wait another day or two.
More problems with Common hedgenettle
- Why does my Common hedgenettle have spots on its leaves?
- Why is my Common hedgenettle drooping?
- Why is my hedgenettle growing so tall and thin?
- Why are my Common hedgenettle leaves turning yellow?
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Back to the Common hedgenettle 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.