Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Stick your finger an inch into the soil to check for dampness.
- Ensure the pot or planting site has adequate drainage.
- Smell the soil for a sour or rotten odor.
Likely causes
Poor drainage
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil feels heavy and wet, and the base of the plant looks dark or mushy.
What to do: Improve drainage by amending the soil with sand or grit. If the plant is in a pot, ensure it has drainage holes and stop watering until the top inch of soil is dry.
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The grass blades turn yellow or brown and the plant loses its firm structure.
What to do: Adjust your watering schedule to every 5 to 10 days. Only water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Find out what's wrong with your mondo grass
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 base of the plant is black and smells foul, the rot is advanced and the plant may not recover.
Stopping it coming back
Always check the soil moisture before watering and avoid planting in low spots where water pools.
Mondo grass: root rot? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your mondo grass 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 plant with root rot?
- If only a few roots are affected, you can trim them away and replant in fresh, well draining soil. If the roots are mostly black and mushy, it is usually best to replace the plant.
- How often should I water my Mondo grass?
- Aim for every 5 to 10 days, but always let the top inch of soil dry out first.
More problems with Mondo grass
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.