Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Smell the soil for a foul, swampy odor.
- Check the drainage holes to ensure they are not blocked.
- Inspect the roots for a mushy texture.
Likely causes
Waterlogged soil
PossibleHow to tell: The leaves turn yellow and wilt even though the soil is wet. You might notice a sour smell coming from the pot or ground.
What to do: Improve the drainage of your soil by adding perlite or coarse sand. If the plant is in a pot, ensure it has large drainage holes and never sits in a saucer of standing water.
Fungal pathogens
PossibleHow to tell: Roots appear mushy, dark, or black instead of firm and white. The plant stops growing entirely.
What to do: Trim away the affected roots with sterilized shears. Repot the willow in fresh, well draining soil and reduce watering slightly until new growth appears.
Find out what's wrong with your grey willow
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
Worry if the entire plant begins to collapse or if the stems turn black at the base. It is normal for a few roots to die back during repotting.
Stopping it coming back
Ensure your soil mix is airy and never allow the water to sit stagnant for more than a few days.
Grey willow: root rot? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your grey willow 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
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Questions people ask
- Can my willow recover from root rot?
- Yes, if you catch it early. Removing the damaged roots and refreshing the soil usually helps the plant bounce back.
- How wet should the soil be?
- It should be consistently damp like a wrung out sponge. Never let it dry out completely, but avoid creating a muddy bog.
More problems with Grey willow
- Why does my Grey willow have dark spots on its leaves?
- Why are there bugs on my Grey willow?
- Why is my Grey willow dropping its leaves?
- Why is my Grey willow drooping?
- Why are my Grey willow's leaves turning yellow?
- Why are my Grey willow's leaf tips turning brown?
- Why is my Salix cinerea growing leggy?
- Why are my Salix cinerea leaves curling?
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.