Can I save a plant with root rot?

If you catch it early, you can save the plant by trimming the dead roots and repotting it in dry soil. If the roots are mostly black and mushy, it is usually too late.

How often should I water to prevent rot?

Water every 3 to 7 days, but always check the soil first. If the soil is still damp, wait another day or two before watering again.

How do I fix root rot on my Cleome? Causes and fixes

Check these first

Check if the pot has drainage holes.
Smell the soil for a musty or rotten odor.
Gently lift the plant to see if the roots look brown or mushy.

Likely causes

Overwatering
Most likely
How to tell: The leaves turn yellow and the stems feel soft or mushy at the base. The soil may have a sour or swampy smell.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top few inches of soil dry out. If the plant is in a pot, ensure it has drainage holes and is not sitting in a saucer of standing water.
Poor Drainage
Possible
How to tell: The soil remains wet for more than a week after watering. The plant looks stunted and fails to grow.
What to do: Repot the plant into a container with fresh, well-draining potting mix. Trim away any black or slimy roots before replanting.

Find out what's wrong with your spider flower

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 base of the stem is soft and mushy, the rot has likely reached the crown and the plant may be beyond saving. Act quickly if you see yellowing leaves and wet soil.

Stopping it coming back

Always use well-draining soil and never let the pot sit in water. Only water when the top inch of soil feels dry.

Keep your spider flower healthy from here

Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.

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Questions people ask

Can I save a plant with root rot?: If you catch it early, you can save the plant by trimming the dead roots and repotting it in dry soil. If the roots are mostly black and mushy, it is usually too late.
How often should I water to prevent rot?: Water every 3 to 7 days, but always check the soil first. If the soil is still damp, wait another day or two before watering again.

How do I fix root rot on my Cleome?