Check these first
- Smell the soil for a sour or rotten odor.
- Check if the pot has drainage holes.
- Press the base of the stems to see if they are soft.
Likely causes
Poor Drainage
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil stays soggy for too long and the base of the plant feels soft.
What to do: Ensure the container or planting site has proper drainage holes. If the soil is heavy, mix in some organic matter to improve aeration.
Overwatering
PossibleHow to tell: The soil is constantly waterlogged and the plant looks yellow or brown.
What to do: Adjust your watering schedule to ensure the soil is damp but not saturated. Allow excess water to drain away completely.
Find out what's wrong with your opposite-leaved golden-saxifrage
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 or mushy, the rot has likely spread to the roots. This is often fatal if not corrected immediately.
Stopping it coming back
Never let the plant sit in stagnant water and ensure the soil remains light and airy.
Opposite-leaved golden-saxifrage: root rot? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your opposite-leaved golden-saxifrage 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 only a few roots are affected, you can trim them away and repot in fresh soil. If the whole root system is mushy, it is likely too late.
- How do I know if the soil is too wet?
- If water pools on the surface or the soil feels like a sponge that never dries, it is too wet. It should feel damp like a wrung out cloth.
More problems with Opposite-leaved golden-saxifrage
- Why is my Opposite-leaved golden-saxifrage drooping?
- Why does my Opposite-leaved golden-saxifrage have holes?
- Why are my golden saxifrage leaves turning yellow?
- Why are my golden saxifrage leaf tips turning brown?
- Why are there spots on my golden saxifrage leaves?
- Why is my golden saxifrage not flowering?
- Why is my golden saxifrage looking leggy?
Back to the Opposite-leaved golden-saxifrage 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.

