Can I save a plant with root rot?

Yes, if you catch it early. Trim away the mushy, dark roots with clean scissors and repot the plant in fresh, dry soil.

How often should I check the soil moisture?

Check it every 2 days. If the top inch feels dry, it is time to give it a drink.

Fringed willowherb: root rot, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check the bottom of the pot for standing water.
Smell the soil for a musty or rotten odor.
Gently lift the plant to see if the roots are brown and slimy.

Likely causes

Overwatering
Most likely
How to tell: The soil stays soggy for days and the base of the stems feels mushy or soft. You might notice a sour smell coming from the pot.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top 2 inches of soil dry out. If the plant is in a decorative pot without holes, move it to a container that allows water to drain freely.
Poor Drainage
Most likely
How to tell: Water pools on the surface of the soil for a long time after you water. The plant looks wilted even though the soil is wet.
What to do: Repot the plant into a fresh, well-draining potting mix that includes perlite. Ensure the new pot has plenty of drainage holes at the bottom.

Root rot in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your fringed willowherb

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 stems are black and mushy at the base, the rot has likely spread too far to save the plant. It is time to start over with a new cutting.

Stopping it coming back

Always empty the saucer under your pot after watering so the plant never sits in a pool of water. Use a light, airy soil mix to keep oxygen moving around the roots.

Fringed willowherb: root rot? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your fringed willowherb 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.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Can I save a plant with root rot?: Yes, if you catch it early. Trim away the mushy, dark roots with clean scissors and repot the plant in fresh, dry soil.
How often should I check the soil moisture?: Check it every 2 days. If the top inch feels dry, it is time to give it a drink.

Why is my fringed willowherb getting root rot?