Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Touch the soil to see if it feels swampy.
- Smell the soil for a musty or rotten odor.
- Inspect the drainage holes to ensure they are not blocked.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil feels mushy or smells sour when you touch it. You might notice the base of the plant turning soft or black.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top 2 inches of soil dry out. If the plant is in a pot, ensure it has drainage holes and remove any standing water from the saucer.
Poor Drainage
PossibleHow to tell: Water pools on the surface for a long time after you water. The soil feels dense and heavy like clay.
What to do: Repot the plant into a mix with more perlite or coarse sand to improve airflow. Make sure the container is not sitting in a tray of water.
Find out what's wrong with your canadian lousewort
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 stems are turning black and mushy at the base, the rot may be too advanced to save the plant. It is normal for the plant to look slightly wilted if the soil is just beginning to dry out.
Stopping it coming back
Always check the soil moisture with your finger before adding more water. Use a well draining soil mix to keep roots happy.
Canadian lousewort: root rot? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your canadian lousewort 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 you catch it early, you can trim away the mushy, dark roots and repot the plant in fresh, dry soil. If the entire root system is black and slimy, it is usually best to start over.
- How often should I water?
- Check your plant every 3 to 7 days. Keep the soil evenly moist but never let it sit in standing water.
More problems with Canadian lousewort
Back to the Canadian lousewort 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.