Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Poke your finger two inches into the soil to check for dampness.
- Lift the plant to see if the pot feels heavy from trapped water.
- Inspect the base of the stem for dark, soft spots.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The stem feels squishy near the base and the leaves turn translucent or yellow.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the soil dry out completely. If the plant is severely mushy, remove it from the pot, trim away any black or slimy roots, and repot into fresh, dry succulent soil.
Poor Drainage
PossibleHow to tell: The soil stays damp for more than two weeks after watering.
What to do: Ensure your pot has large drainage holes at the bottom. Use a gritty cactus mix that allows water to pass through quickly rather than holding onto moisture.
Find out what's wrong with your mother of thousands
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 main stem is mushy all the way through, the plant is likely beyond saving. It is normal for the very bottom leaves to shrivel as the plant grows, but the stem should always remain firm.
Stopping it coming back
Always wait until the soil is bone dry before watering again. Use a terracotta pot to help moisture evaporate faster.
Mother of Thousands: root rot? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your mother of thousands 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 save a plant with root rot?
- Yes, if you catch it early. Trim the dead roots and repot in dry soil, then wait a week before giving it a tiny sip of water.
- How often should I water?
- Water every 7 to 14 days, but only if the soil is completely dry. In winter, you can stretch this to once a month.
More problems with Mother of Thousands
- What are these white spots on my Mexican Hat Plant?
- Why is my Mexican Hat Plant growing so tall and thin?
- Why are my Mother of Thousands leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my Mother of Thousands dropping its leaves?
- Why are the tips of my Mother of Thousands leaves turning brown?
- Why is my Mother of Thousands drooping?
- Why are there spots on my Mother of Thousands?
- Why are my Mother of Thousands leaves curling?
Back to the Mother of Thousands 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.