Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Smell the soil for a foul, rotting odor.
- Check if the pot is sitting in a pool of water.
- Press the base of the stem to see if it feels soft or mushy.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves will look wilted even if the soil is wet, and the stems may turn mushy or brown at the base. The soil might also have a sour, swampy odor.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top inch of soil dry out. If the plant is in a container, ensure it has drainage holes and is not sitting in a saucer of standing water.
Poor Drainage
Most likelyHow to tell: The water sits on the surface of the soil for a long time after you water. The roots are suffocating because they cannot get enough oxygen.
What to do: Repot the plant into a container with better drainage holes. Use a light, airy potting mix that allows excess water to flow through easily.
Find out what's wrong with your guascas
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 stems are black and mushy at the base, the rot has likely reached the crown and the plant cannot be saved. Minor wilting that recovers after a day of drying out is usually fine.
Stopping it coming back
Only water when the top inch of soil feels slightly dry to the touch, and never let the pot sit in a tray of water.
Guascas: root rot? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your guascas 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 you catch it early, you can trim away the mushy roots and repot the plant in fresh, dry soil. If the roots are mostly black and slimy, it is usually best to start over.
- How often should I check the soil?
- Check the soil every 2 days since Galinsoga likes to stay evenly damp. If the top feels dry, it is time to water.
More problems with Guascas
- Why is my Guascas plant drooping?
- Why are my Guascas leaves turning yellow?
- Why does my Galinsoga have spots on its leaves?
- Why is my Galinsoga growing tall and thin?
- What are these spots on my Guascas leaves?
- Why are my Galinsoga parviflora leaves getting brown tips?
- Why is my Galinsoga parviflora dropping its leaves?
- Why are my Galinsoga parviflora leaves curling?
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.