Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Feel the soil around the base for sogginess.
- Check if water pools in the area after rainfall.
- Inspect the base of the stems for a foul odor.
Likely causes
Poor drainage
Most likelyHow to tell: The base of the plant feels mushy and the soil stays wet for days after rain.
What to do: Amend the surrounding soil with sand or gravel to improve drainage. If the plant is in a low spot, consider transplanting it to a slightly elevated area.
Overwatering
PossibleHow to tell: The foliage turns yellow and wilts despite the soil being constantly saturated.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top 3 to 4 inches of soil dry out completely. Once the plant is established, water deeply only during extended dry spells, and let the soil dry out between waterings.
Find out what's wrong with your pampas grass
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 entire clump is mushy and smells like rot, the plant may be beyond saving. It is normal for the plant to look a bit tired during extremely wet, rainy weeks.
Stopping it coming back
Plant your grass in well draining soil and avoid placing it in low spots where water collects.
Pampas Grass: root rot? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your pampas grass 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?
- If only a small section is affected, you can dig it out and improve the soil drainage. If the rot has spread to the center of the clump, the plant will likely need to be removed.
- How much water does pampas grass need?
- Once established, it is very drought tolerant. You only need to water it during extended dry spells.
More problems with Pampas Grass
Back to the Pampas Grass 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.