Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Smell the soil for a musty odor.
- Check if the pot is sitting in standing water.
- Gently lift the plant to see if the roots are brown and mushy.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil is constantly wet and the plant looks limp.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top 2 inches of soil dry out. Ensure your pot has drainage holes to let excess water escape.
Poor Drainage
PossibleHow to tell: Water pools on the surface of the soil for a long time.
What to do: Repot the plant into a container with better drainage holes. Use a well draining potting mix to prevent future water buildup.
Find out what's wrong with your creeping soft grass
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 roots are black and slimy, the plant is in danger. If only a few roots are affected, you can trim them and repot in fresh soil.
Stopping it coming back
Only water when the top inch of soil feels dry and never let the pot sit in a saucer of water.
Creeping soft grass: root rot? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your creeping soft grass 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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
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 use the same soil after repotting?
- No, discard the old soil as it likely contains fungal spores. Use fresh, sterile potting mix.
- How often should I water to avoid rot?
- Check the soil every 3 to 7 days. Only water when the top layer feels slightly dry.
More problems with Creeping soft grass
Back to the Creeping soft grass 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.