Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Touch the soil to see if it is damp.
- Gently wiggle the plant to see if it feels loose in the soil.
- Inspect the roots for a dark, slimy appearance.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves turn mushy and may start to discolor or fall off easily. The soil feels damp even weeks after your last watering.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the soil dry out completely. If the plant is severely damaged, remove it from the pot, trim away any black or slimy roots, and repot it into fresh, dry succulent soil.
Poor Drainage
PossibleHow to tell: Water sits in the bottom of the pot or the soil remains heavy and dense. The plant looks unhappy despite infrequent watering.
What to do: Ensure your pot has large drainage holes at the bottom. Use a gritty, well draining succulent mix that contains perlite or pumice to allow air to reach the roots.
Find out what's wrong with your gasteria
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 base of the stem is black and mushy, the rot has likely spread too far to save the plant. It is normal for the very bottom leaf to shrivel and dry up as the plant grows, but it should not be soft or wet.
Stopping it coming back
Always wait until the soil is completely dry before watering again, which usually takes 14 to 28 days. Use a terracotta pot to help the soil dry out faster.
Gasteria: root rot? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your gasteria 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
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Can I save a Gasteria with root rot?
- Yes, if you catch it early. Trim off the dead roots, let the plant air dry for a day, and repot it in fresh, dry soil.
- How often should I water my Gasteria?
- Water every 14 to 28 days, but only when the soil is bone dry. When in doubt, wait another week.
More problems with Gasteria
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.