Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Stick your finger an inch into the soil to check for dampness.
- Lift the pot to see if water is sitting in the saucer.
- Smell the soil for a sour or rotten odor.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil feels soggy or swampy to the touch even days after watering. The leaves may turn yellow or brown and feel soft.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top 2 inches of soil dry out. If the soil remains wet, repot the plant into fresh, well draining potting mix and trim away any black, mushy roots.
Poor drainage
PossibleHow to tell: Water sits in the saucer or the pot lacks drainage holes, causing the roots to sit in standing water. The plant looks stunted and unhappy.
What to do: Ensure your pot has holes at the bottom and never let the plant sit in a saucer of water. Use a pot with good drainage to allow excess moisture to escape.
Find out what's wrong with your yew pine
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
If the leaves are turning brown and falling off in large numbers, the rot may be advanced. If the roots are black and mushy, the plant is in serious trouble.
Stopping it coming back
Only water when the top inch of soil is dry, and always empty the saucer after watering.
Yew pine: root rot? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your yew pine 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 and trim the dead roots, you can often save the plant. If the majority of the root system is mushy, it is much harder to recover.
- How often should I check the soil?
- Check the soil every 5 to 7 days. It is better to let the plant get slightly dry than to keep it constantly wet.
More problems with Yew pine
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.