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Common toadflax · Linaria vulgaris

Why is my common toadflax wilting?

It is less common for common toadflax to get root rot, as it prefers well-draining soil, but it happens if the soil stays soggy for too long. Check the base of the plant and the soil moisture first.

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

Check these first

  1. Feel the soil to see if it is wet below the surface.
  2. Smell the soil for a musty or rotten odor.
  3. Check the drainage holes to ensure they are not blocked.

Likely causes

  1. Overwatering

    Possible

    How to tell: The leaves turn yellow or brown and the stems feel mushy at the base. The soil will smell sour or swampy.

    What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top 2 inches of soil dry out. If the plant is in a pot, ensure it has drainage holes and is not sitting in a saucer of water.

  2. Poor drainage

    Possible

    How to tell: Water pools on the surface of the soil for a long time after watering. The plant looks stunted and unhappy.

    What to do: Repot the plant into a container with fresh, well-draining potting mix. Add perlite to the soil to improve aeration.

Root rot in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your common toadflax

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 are black and mushy at the soil line, the rot has likely reached the crown. This is often fatal for the plant.

Stopping it coming back

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

Common toadflax: root rot? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your common toadflax 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?
If you catch it early, you can trim away the black, mushy roots and repot in fresh soil. If the majority of the roots are mushy, it is usually best to start over.
How often should I check the soil?
Check the moisture every 7 days. If the top inch is dry, it is time to water.

More problems with Common toadflax

Back to the Common toadflax 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.