Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Smell the soil for a foul odor.
- Check if the pot has drainage holes.
- Feel the soil moisture 2 inches deep.
Likely causes
Poor drainage
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil feels like thick mud and smells sour or like rotten eggs. Leaves may turn yellow and drop suddenly.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top 2 inches of soil dry out. If the soil is heavy clay, mix in organic compost to improve aeration.
Overwatering
PossibleHow to tell: The plant sits in a saucer of water or the soil never dries even slightly between waterings. Roots appear mushy and dark instead of firm and white.
What to do: Empty any standing water from the saucer after 15 minutes. Adjust your schedule to water every 3 to 5 days rather than daily.
Find out what's wrong with your 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
If the trunk base feels soft or mushy, the rot has likely spread too far. It is normal for a few older leaves to drop as the plant adjusts to a new watering routine.
Stopping it coming back
Ensure your pot has plenty of drainage holes and use a well draining soil mix that holds moisture but does not stay saturated.
Keep your willow 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 willow with root rot?
- Yes, if you catch it early. Trim away the black, mushy roots and repot the plant in fresh, sterile soil.
- Does my willow need to sit in water?
- Willows love damp soil, but they still need air around their roots. Never let the pot sit in a deep pool of water for more than a few minutes.
More problems with Willow
- Why is my willow tree dropping its leaves?
- What are these black spots on my willow leaves?
- Why are there bugs on my willow tree?
- Why are my willow's leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my willow tree drooping?
- Why do my willow's leaves have brown tips?
- Why is my willow tree growing long and leggy?
- Why are my willow tree's leaves curling?
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.