Can I save a plant with root rot?

Yes, if you catch it early enough. You must remove all the damaged roots and repot the plant in fresh soil.

How wet should the soil be?

The soil should feel like a wrung out sponge. It needs to be consistently damp but never waterlogged.

Redshank: root rot, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check the drainage holes for blockages.
Smell the soil for a musty or rotten odor.
Inspect the roots for a slimy texture or dark color.

Likely causes

Poor Drainage
Most likely
How to tell: The soil smells sour or swampy and the stems near the base look mushy or dark. You might see water sitting in the saucer for days.
What to do: Repot the plant into a container with plenty of drainage holes using fresh, well draining potting mix. Trim away any black or slimy roots with clean scissors before replanting. Water only when the top inch of soil feels slightly dry to the touch.
Overwatering
Possible
How to tell: The leaves turn yellow and wilt even though the soil is constantly wet. The plant stops growing and looks generally unhappy.
What to do: Adjust your watering schedule to every 3 to 4 days instead of every 2 days. Always empty the saucer after watering so the roots do not sit in standing water. Ensure the soil remains damp but never soggy.

Root rot in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your redshank

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 stems are turning black and mushy at the base, the plant is in serious trouble. A little yellowing on the lowest leaves is normal as the plant ages.

Stopping it coming back

Use a potting mix that includes perlite to improve airflow around the roots. Always dump out excess water from the saucer within 30 minutes of watering.

Redshank: root rot? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your redshank 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

Can I save a plant with root rot?: Yes, if you catch it early enough. You must remove all the damaged roots and repot the plant in fresh soil.
How wet should the soil be?: The soil should feel like a wrung out sponge. It needs to be consistently damp but never waterlogged.

Why is my Persicaria maculosa suffering from root rot?