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Gazania · Gazania rigens

Why is my Treasure flower wilting and dying?

Treasure flowers are drought tolerant plants that hate sitting in soggy soil. If the roots stay wet for too long, they will begin to decay and stop supporting the plant.

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

Check these first

  1. Stick your finger two inches into the soil to check for moisture.
  2. Lift the pot to see if water is draining out the bottom.
  3. Smell the soil for a musty or rotten odor.

Likely causes

  1. Overwatering

    Most likely

    How to tell: The leaves turn yellow and mushy, and the soil smells sour or damp.

    What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the soil dry out completely. If the plant is in a pot, check the drainage holes to ensure water is escaping freely.

  2. Poor Drainage

    Possible

    How to tell: Water pools on the surface of the soil for a long time after watering.

    What to do: Repot the plant into a container with plenty of drainage holes. Use a gritty, well draining potting mix designed for succulents or cacti.

Root rot in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your gazania

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 feels soft or mushy, the rot has likely spread too far. If the plant is just drooping slightly, it may recover with a long dry period.

Stopping it coming back

Always allow the soil to dry out significantly between waterings, usually every 7 to 14 days depending on the heat.

Gazania: root rot? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your gazania 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

How often should I water my Gazania?
Water every 7 to 14 days. Always check that the top few inches of soil are dry before adding more water.
Can I save a plant with root rot?
If the damage is mild, you can let the soil dry out and trim away any dead roots. If the stem is mushy, it is usually best to start over with a new plant.

More problems with Gazania

Back to the Gazania 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.