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Check these first
- Smell the soil for a foul or rotten odor.
- Check if the soil is waterlogged or muddy.
- Look at the base of the stem for soft or discolored tissue.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves turn yellow and the base of the stem may look mushy or dark. The soil will smell sour or swampy.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the soil dry out significantly. If the plant is in a container, ensure it has drainage holes. If the roots are black and slimy, the plant may be too far gone to save.
Poor drainage
PossibleHow to tell: Water pools on the surface of the soil for a long time after watering. The plant growth will be stunted and weak.
What to do: Amend the soil with organic matter to improve drainage. If growing in a pot, move the plant to a container with better drainage holes. Avoid letting the pot sit in a saucer of standing water.
Find out what's wrong with your lambs quarters
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
Worry if the stem base is soft or if the plant is collapsing at the soil line. If the roots are mushy and dark, the plant is likely beyond recovery.
Stopping it coming back
Ensure your soil is well draining and never let the plant sit in standing water.
Lambs quarters: root rot? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your lambs quarters 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
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Questions people ask
- Can I save a plant with root rot?
- If only a few roots are affected, you can try to let the soil dry out and prune away the dead roots. If the rot has reached the stem, it is usually best to start over.
- Does this plant flower?
- Yes, Lambs quarters produces small, inconspicuous green flowers in clusters. It blooms naturally during the summer, but it needs full sun to thrive and produce flowers.
More problems with Lambs quarters
Back to the Lambs quarters 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.