Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Touch the top inch of soil to see if it feels wet.
- Inspect the bottom of the pot for standing water.
- Smell the soil for a sour or rotten odor.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil stays soggy for days and the base of the grass blades looks mushy or discolored.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top 2 inches of soil dry out. Ensure your pot has drainage holes so excess water can escape freely.
Poor Drainage
PossibleHow to tell: Water pools on the surface of the soil long after you have finished watering.
What to do: Repot the grass into a container with better drainage holes. Use a well draining potting mix that contains perlite or sand to improve airflow.
Find out what's wrong with your grass family
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 base of the grass turns black or slimy, the rot has likely spread too far to save the plant. It is normal for older blades to die back naturally as the plant grows.
Stopping it coming back
Only water when the top inch of soil is dry and always empty the saucer under the pot after watering.
Keep your grass family healthy from here
Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.
Questions people ask
- Can I save a grass plant with root rot?
- If you catch it early, you can trim away the mushy roots and repot the plant in fresh soil. If the damage is extensive, it is usually better to start over.
- How often should I water my grass?
- Water every 2 to 7 days depending on the heat and light. Always check the soil moisture before adding more water.
More problems with Grass family
Back to the Grass family guide
This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.