Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Smell the soil for a musty or rotten odor.
- Inspect the drainage holes to ensure they are not blocked.
- Gently lift the plant to see if the roots look brown and slimy.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil smells sour and the leaves turn yellow or black while the stems feel mushy.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top two inches of soil dry out. If the plant is in a pot without drainage, repot it into a container with holes using fresh, well draining potting mix.
Poor Drainage
PossibleHow to tell: Water sits on the surface of the soil for a long time after watering.
What to do: Mix perlite or coarse sand into your potting soil to improve aeration. Ensure your pot has adequate drainage holes at the bottom.
Find out what's wrong with your mint
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 turning black at the base, the rot is advanced. It is normal for the soil to be damp, but it should never be swampy.
Stopping it coming back
Only water when the top inch of soil feels dry and always use a pot with good drainage.
Keep your mint healthy from here
Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.
Questions people ask
- Can I save a mint plant with root rot?
- If the roots are still partially white and firm, you can save it by trimming away the mushy brown roots. Repot it in fresh soil and water sparingly until new growth appears.
- Does mint need special soil?
- Mint prefers rich, moist soil that drains well. A standard potting mix with a little added perlite works perfectly.
More problems with Mint
- Why is my mint plant getting so leggy?
- Why are there bugs on my mint plant?
- What are these spots on my mint leaves?
- Why are my mint plant's leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my mint plant drooping?
- Why are my mint plant's leaves getting brown tips?
- Why is my mint plant dropping its leaves?
- Why are my mint leaves curling up?
This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.