Can I save a plant with root rot?

Yes, if you catch it early enough. You must remove all the dead, rotting roots and provide fresh soil to give the healthy roots a chance to grow.

How often should I water to avoid rot?

Water every 5 to 10 days, but only when the top inch of soil feels dry. Always check the soil moisture with your finger before adding more water.

Pinstripe Calathea: root rot, causes and fixes

Check these first

Smell the soil for a musty or rotten odor.
Check if the pot has drainage holes.
Gently pull the plant out to inspect the roots.

Likely causes

Overwatering
Most likely
How to tell: The leaves will turn yellow or brown and droop, while the soil remains soggy and smells sour. The roots will look mushy, dark, and slimy instead of firm and white.
What to do: Remove the plant from its pot and gently wash away the old soil. Trim off any black or mushy roots with sterilized scissors and repot the plant into fresh, well-draining potting mix.
Poor drainage
Possible
How to tell: Water sits at the bottom of the pot for days, keeping the root zone constantly saturated. This often happens if the pot lacks drainage holes or the soil is too dense.
What to do: Ensure your pot has drainage holes at the bottom. Mix perlite or orchid bark into your potting soil to increase airflow and prevent water from pooling around the roots.

Root rot in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your pinstripe calathea

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

Root rot is a serious condition that can kill the plant if not addressed immediately. If the majority of the roots are mushy, the plant may not recover.

Stopping it coming back

Always let the top inch of soil dry out before watering again and never let the pot sit in a saucer of standing water.

Pinstripe Calathea: root rot? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your pinstripe calathea 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 save a plant with root rot?: Yes, if you catch it early enough. You must remove all the dead, rotting roots and provide fresh soil to give the healthy roots a chance to grow.
How often should I water to avoid rot?: Water every 5 to 10 days, but only when the top inch of soil feels dry. Always check the soil moisture with your finger before adding more water.

How do I fix root rot in my Pinstripe Calathea?