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Common cottongrass · Eriophorum angustifolium

Why is my common cottongrass suffering from root rot?

Common cottongrass is a bog plant that needs to stay wet, but root rot can still happen if the water becomes stagnant or the soil quality degrades. Check your water quality and soil drainage first.

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

Check these first

  1. Smell the water for any foul odors.
  2. Check the color of the roots by gently lifting the plant.
  3. Test the soil texture to see if it has become too dense.

Likely causes

  1. Stagnant water

    Most likely

    How to tell: The water in the container smells like rotten eggs or sulfur. The roots appear slimy and dark brown instead of firm and white.

    What to do: Flush the container with fresh water every 3 to 5 days to keep it oxygenated. If the smell persists, repot the plant into fresh, acidic peat based soil.

  2. Soil compaction

    Possible

    How to tell: The soil feels dense and heavy, preventing water from circulating around the roots. The plant looks stunted and weak.

    What to do: Gently loosen the top layer of soil with a small tool. Ensure you are using a mix of peat and sand to keep the texture light and airy.

Root rot in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your common cottongrass

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 root system has turned mushy and black, the plant may not recover. Some minor root browning is normal as old roots die off.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the water fresh by refreshing it weekly and ensure the soil is specifically designed for bog plants.

Common cottongrass: root rot? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your common cottongrass 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 use tap water?
Yes, but let it sit for 24 hours to allow chlorine to evaporate. Rainwater is always the best choice for this species.
How deep should the water be?
Keep the water level at or slightly above the soil surface. Never let the soil dry out.

More problems with Common cottongrass

Back to the Common cottongrass 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.