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Polka Dot Plant · Hypoestes phyllostachya

Why does my polka dot plant look sick and mushy?

Root rot is almost always caused by too much water sitting around the roots. If your plant looks sad and the soil stays wet for a long time, check the roots right away. This is a serious issue that needs quick action.

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

Check these first

  1. Touch the soil to see if it feels soggy.
  2. Smell the soil for a sour or rotten odor.
  3. Gently pull the plant out to inspect the roots for dark, mushy sections.

Likely causes

  1. Overwatering

    Most likely

    How to tell: The leaves turn yellow or brown and feel soft. The soil smells musty and stays soggy for more than a week.

    What to do: Stop watering immediately. Remove the plant from its pot, trim away any black or mushy roots, and repot it into fresh, well draining soil.

  2. Poor drainage

    Possible

    How to tell: Water pools at the bottom of the pot after you water. The pot lacks holes at the bottom.

    What to do: Ensure your pot has drainage holes. If it does not, move the plant to a container that allows excess water to escape.

Root rot in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your polka dot plant

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 stems feel mushy at the base, the rot may have spread too far to save the plant. If only a few roots are affected, you can usually save it.

Stopping it coming back

Only water when the top centimeter of soil is dry. Always use a pot with drainage holes.

Polka Dot Plant: root rot? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your polka dot plant 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?
Check the soil every 3 to 7 days. Only water when the top centimeter feels dry.
Can I save a plant with root rot?
If you catch it early and remove the dead roots, your plant has a good chance of recovering.

More problems with Polka Dot Plant

Back to the Polka Dot Plant 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.