Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Gently pull the plant out of its pot to inspect the roots.
- Smell the soil for a sour or rotten odor.
- Check if the roots are firm and white or mushy and brown.
Likely causes
Poor drainage
Most likelyHow to tell: The plant looks wilted even when the soil is wet, and the base of the stem may turn black or mushy.
What to do: Remove the plant from its pot and gently wash away the old soil. Trim off any black, slimy, or smelly roots with sterile scissors and repot in fresh, well draining soil.
Watering too often
PossibleHow to tell: The soil remains constantly damp and the plant stops growing entirely.
What to do: Wait until the top inch of soil is dry before adding more water. Use a pot with drainage holes to prevent water from pooling at the bottom.
Find out what's wrong with your chinese money plant
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 root system is black and mushy, the plant may be too far gone to save. If you see healthy white roots remaining, there is a good chance for recovery.
Stopping it coming back
Always use a potting mix designed for indoor plants and ensure your pot has adequate drainage holes.
Chinese Money Plant: root rot? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your chinese money plant 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, yes. Trim the dead roots and repot in dry, fresh soil, then wait a few days before watering again.
- How often should I water to avoid rot?
- Most homes require watering every 7 to 10 days. Always check the soil moisture with your finger before watering.
More problems with Chinese Money Plant
- Why are my Chinese Money Plant's leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my Chinese Money Plant drooping?
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- Why is my Pilea peperomioides looking leggy?
- Why are my Pilea leaves curling?
- Why are my Pilea's leaf tips turning brown?
- Why are there spots on my Pilea leaves?
- How do I get rid of pests on my Pilea?
Back to the Chinese Money Plant 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.