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Silver Sword Philodendron · Philodendron hastatum

How do I fix root rot on my Silver Sword Philodendron?

Root rot is a serious issue caused by soil that stays wet for too long. If your plant looks wilted despite having damp soil, check the roots immediately.

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root rot on a plant
Photo: Ninjatacoshell, CC BY-SA 3.0

Check these first

  1. Gently pull the plant out of its pot to inspect the roots.
  2. Smell the soil for a foul or rotten odor.
  3. Check if the roots are firm and white or mushy and brown.

Likely causes

  1. Poor Drainage

    Most likely

    How to tell: The soil smells sour or swampy and the plant is drooping despite being watered.

    What to do: Remove the plant from its pot and trim away any black, mushy roots with sterilized shears. Repot the plant into fresh, well draining soil in a pot with drainage holes.

  2. Excessive Watering

    Possible

    How to tell: The soil remains saturated for more than 10 days after watering.

    What to do: Adjust your watering routine to wait until the top inch of soil is dry. Use a chunky soil mix with perlite to improve airflow around the roots.

Root rot in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your silver sword philodendron

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 majority of the root system is mushy and dark, the plant is in danger. If only a few roots are affected, you can likely save it with proper care.

Stopping it coming back

Use a well draining potting mix and never let the pot sit in a saucer of standing water.

Silver Sword Philodendron: root rot? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your silver sword philodendron 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.

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Questions people ask

Can I save a plant with root rot?
If you catch it early and remove all the decayed roots, your plant has a good chance of recovering. It may take a few weeks for it to show signs of new growth.
Does the pot size matter?
Yes, a pot that is too large holds too much water. Always use a pot that is only 1 to 2 inches wider than the root ball.

More problems with Silver Sword Philodendron

Back to the Silver Sword Philodendron 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.