Can I save a plant with root rot?

If you catch it early and remove the damaged roots, you can often save the plant. Repotting into fresh soil is the most important step.

How do I know if the soil is too wet?

If you press your finger into the soil and it feels like a swamp or water pools on the surface, it is too wet. The soil should feel like a wrung out sponge.

Marsh cudweed: root rot, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check if the pot has holes at the bottom.
Smell the soil for a sour or rotten odor.
Gently lift the plant to see if the roots are firm and white.

Likely causes

Poor Drainage
Most likely
How to tell: The soil stays soggy for days and the plant begins to yellow or wilt despite being watered. The roots will look dark, slimy, and smell bad.
What to do: Repot the plant immediately into a container with drainage holes. Use a fresh, well draining potting mix and trim away any black, mushy roots with sterilized scissors.
Overwatering
Possible
How to tell: The leaves turn yellow and drop off, and the soil surface remains constantly waterlogged. Even though this plant likes moisture, it needs oxygen in the soil.
What to do: Adjust your watering schedule to ensure the soil is damp but not soaking wet. Allow the top half inch of soil to feel just barely dry before adding more water.

Root rot in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your marsh cudweed

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 turning black at the base, the rot may be too advanced to save the plant. Act immediately when you notice a foul smell or persistent wilting.

Stopping it coming back

Always use pots with drainage holes and never let the plant sit in a saucer full of standing water.

Marsh cudweed: root rot? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your marsh cudweed 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?: If you catch it early and remove the damaged roots, you can often save the plant. Repotting into fresh soil is the most important step.
How do I know if the soil is too wet?: If you press your finger into the soil and it feels like a swamp or water pools on the surface, it is too wet. The soil should feel like a wrung out sponge.

Is my marsh cudweed suffering from root rot?