Skip to content
Pocket Botanist
Get the app

Velvet tree · Miconia calvescens

Why is my Velvet tree suffering from root rot?

Root rot is a common issue for Miconia calvescens when the soil stays wet for too long. It usually means your plant is sitting in water or the soil lacks proper drainage. Check the soil moisture level immediately.

Not sure it's this? Check a photo of your plant for free

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

Check these first

  1. Check if the soil feels soggy or smells bad.
  2. Inspect the drainage holes for blockages.
  3. Touch the roots to see if they are mushy or dark.

Likely causes

  1. Overwatering

    Most likely

    How to tell: The leaves look limp and the soil feels soggy or smells sour.

    What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top 2 inches of soil dry out. If the soil is heavy, repot the plant into a well draining mix with perlite.

  2. Poor Drainage

    Possible

    How to tell: Water pools on the surface or stays in the saucer for hours.

    What to do: Ensure your pot has drainage holes at the bottom. Empty the saucer after every watering so the roots do not sit in standing water.

Root rot in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your velvet tree

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.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

When to worry

If the roots are black and mushy, the plant is in serious trouble. A few yellowing lower leaves are normal as the plant grows.

Stopping it coming back

Always check the top inch of soil before watering and ensure your pot has excellent drainage.

Velvet tree: root rot? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your velvet tree 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.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

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 away the mushy roots, repot in fresh soil, and water sparingly until new growth appears.
How often should I water?
Water every 3 to 7 days, but only when the top inch of soil feels slightly dry.

More problems with Velvet tree

Back to the Velvet tree 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.