Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Feel the top 3 inches of soil for moisture.
- Check if the pot has drainage holes.
- Smell the soil for a sour or rotten odor.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil stays damp for more than two weeks and the base of the plant feels soft or mushy.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top 3 inches of soil dry out. If the plant is in a pot, ensure it has drainage holes and move it to a sunnier spot.
Poor Drainage
PossibleHow to tell: Water pools on the surface of the soil after you water it. The soil feels heavy and dense.
What to do: Repot the plant into a well draining mix containing perlite or sand. Avoid using pots without drainage holes.
Find out what's wrong with your wandflower
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
If the base of the stem is black and mushy, the plant is likely beyond saving. Some minor yellowing of lower leaves is normal as the plant ages.
Stopping it coming back
Only water when the top few inches of soil are dry and always use a fast draining soil mix.
Wandflower: root rot? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your wandflower 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 Wandflower with root rot?
- If you catch it early, you can trim away the mushy roots and repot in fresh, dry soil. If the rot has reached the main stem, it is usually too late.
- How often should I water my Wandflower?
- Water every 7 to 14 days depending on the heat. Always check the soil dryness before adding more water.
More problems with Wandflower
- Why is my Wandflower not producing any blooms?
- Why does my Wandflower have spots on its leaves?
- Why is my Wandflower looking leggy and stretched out?
- What are these tiny bugs on my Wandflower?
- Why are my Wandflower's leaves turning yellow?
- Why do my Wandflower leaves have brown tips?
- Why is my Wandflower drooping?
- Why are my Wandflower leaves curling?
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.