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Song of India · Dracaena reflexa var. angustifolia

How do I know if my Song of India has root rot?

Root rot is a serious condition caused by soil that stays too wet for too long. If your plant looks sad despite moist soil, check the roots immediately.

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root rot on a plant
Photo: Ninjatacoshell, CC BY-SA 3.0

Check these first

  1. Smell the soil for a foul odor.
  2. Gently pull the plant from the pot to inspect the roots.
  3. Check if the pot has drainage holes.

Likely causes

  1. Poor Drainage

    Most likely

    How to tell: The soil smells sour or moldy, and the stems feel squishy near the base. The leaves may droop or turn yellow.

    What to do: Remove the plant from its pot and inspect the roots. Trim away any mushy, brown, or smelly roots with sterile scissors and repot in fresh, well draining soil.

  2. Excessive Watering

    Possible

    How to tell: The soil remains soggy for more than two weeks. The plant stops growing and looks wilted.

    What to do: Only water when the top inch of soil is dry. Always empty the saucer under the pot after watering so the roots do not sit in water.

Root rot in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your song of india

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 roots are mostly black and mushy, the plant is in critical condition. If the roots are firm and white, you just need to adjust your watering.

Stopping it coming back

Use a chunky, well draining potting mix and never let the plant sit in a tray of water.

Song of India: root rot? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your song of india 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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Questions people ask

Can I save a plant with root rot?
If there are still some healthy white roots left, you can save it. Repotting into fresh, dry soil is the best chance for recovery.
How often should I water to avoid rot?
Water every 7 to 14 days, but always check the soil first. If the top inch is still damp, wait a few more days.

More problems with Song of India

Back to the Song of India 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.