Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Feel the soil to see if it is muddy.
- Smell the soil for a musty or rotten odor.
- Inspect the roots to see if they look brown and slimy instead of firm and white.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil feels soggy and the base of the grass stems looks soft or discolored. You might notice a sour or swampy smell coming from the pot.
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 sits on the surface of the soil for a long time after you water. The roots cannot get enough oxygen and begin to die back.
What to do: Repot the grass into a container with plenty of drainage holes using a well draining potting mix. Mix in some perlite to help air reach the roots.
Find out what's wrong with your timothy 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 entire clump of grass is turning yellow and collapsing, the roots have likely died. It is normal for a few older blades to brown as the plant grows.
Stopping it coming back
Only water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Always use a pot with drainage holes to keep the roots happy.
Timothy grass: root rot? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your timothy 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 my grass if it has root rot?
- If you catch it early, you can trim away the mushy, dark roots and repot the plant in fresh, dry soil. If most of the root system is already black and slimy, it is usually too late to save.
- How often should I water my Timothy grass?
- Water every 3 to 7 days depending on the heat and light. Always check the soil moisture with your finger before adding more water.
More problems with Timothy grass
Back to the Timothy grass 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.