Can I save a plant with root rot?

If the rhizome is still firm, you can save it by repotting into fresh media and cutting away any dead, black roots. If the rhizome is mushy, it is likely too late.

How often should I change the water?

Change the water in the tray every few days to prevent it from becoming stagnant. This keeps the roots oxygenated.

Why is my Trumpet Pitcher Plant looking sick at the base?

Check these first

Smell the water in the tray for any foul odor.
Touch the soil to see if it feels like thick, dense mud.
Gently pull the plant to see if it feels loose in the pot.

Likely causes

Stagnant Water
Most likely
How to tell: The water in your tray smells foul or looks murky. The base of the plant may appear mushy or discolored.
What to do: Empty the water tray immediately and rinse it thoroughly. Flush the soil with fresh distilled water to clear out any buildup.
Old Soil Medium
Possible
How to tell: The peat moss or perlite mix has broken down into a dense, muddy consistency that does not drain well. The plant stops growing even in good light.
What to do: Repot the plant into a fresh mix of long fiber sphagnum moss and perlite. Ensure you use a pot with drainage holes.

When to worry

If the base of the rhizome feels soft or mushy to the touch, the plant is in serious trouble. A firm rhizome is a sign the plant can still recover.

Stopping it coming back

Use only distilled, rain, or reverse osmosis water. Change the water in the tray every 3 to 5 days to keep it fresh.

Not sure which one it is? Photograph your trumpet pitcher plant.

This page lists the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at your actual leaf 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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Questions people ask

Can I save a plant with root rot?: If the rhizome is still firm, you can save it by repotting into fresh media and cutting away any dead, black roots. If the rhizome is mushy, it is likely too late.
How often should I change the water?: Change the water in the tray every few days to prevent it from becoming stagnant. This keeps the roots oxygenated.