How wet should the soil be?

The soil should be consistently moist like a wrung out sponge. It should never be dripping wet or swampy.

Can I save a plant with root rot?

If you catch it early, you can trim the dead roots and repot in fresh media. If the stem is already black, it is often too late.

Rajah pitcher plant: root rot, causes and fixes

Check these first

Smell the soil for a sour or rotten odor.
Check if the pot is sitting in a tray of standing water.
Gently lift the plant to see if the roots are brown and mushy.

Likely causes

Waterlogged Soil
Most likely
How to tell: The plant looks wilted despite the soil being wet. The base of the stem may turn black or mushy.
What to do: Repot the plant into fresh, airy long fiber sphagnum moss. Ensure the pot has plenty of drainage holes and never let it sit in standing water.
Dense Growing Medium
Possible
How to tell: The soil feels heavy and does not dry out for many days. The plant stops producing new pitchers.
What to do: Mix in more perlite or orchid bark to improve aeration. Avoid packing the moss too tightly when repotting.

Root rot in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your rajah pitcher 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.

When to worry

If the stem base is mushy, the plant is in critical condition. Act immediately to repot in fresh media.

Stopping it coming back

Use a light, airy mix and ensure the pot drains thoroughly after every watering.

Rajah pitcher plant: root rot? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your rajah pitcher 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.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

How wet should the soil be?: The soil should be consistently moist like a wrung out sponge. It should never be dripping wet or swampy.
Can I save a plant with root rot?: If you catch it early, you can trim the dead roots and repot in fresh media. If the stem is already black, it is often too late.

Why is my Rajah pitcher plant showing signs of root rot?