Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Stick your finger one inch into the soil to check for dampness.
- Lift the pot to see if water is sitting in the saucer.
- Inspect the base of the stems for soft or discolored tissue.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The base of the stems turns mushy or black, and the plant may smell slightly sour.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the soil dry out completely. If the damage is severe, remove the plant from the pot, trim away black, slimy roots, and repot in fresh, well draining succulent soil.
Poor drainage
PossibleHow to tell: Water pools at the bottom of the pot, keeping the roots constantly submerged.
What to do: Ensure your pot has drainage holes at the bottom. Use a cactus or succulent potting mix that allows excess water to escape quickly.
Find out what's wrong with your stringy stonecrop
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 stems are turning black and mushy, the plant is in serious trouble and needs immediate repotting.
Stopping it coming back
Only water when the top inch of soil is dry and always use a pot with drainage holes.
Stringy stonecrop: root rot? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your stringy stonecrop 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
- How often should I water?
- Water every 7 to 14 days, but only when the top inch of soil feels dry.
- Can I save a plant with rot?
- Yes, if you catch it early. Trim the rotted roots and repot in dry, fresh soil.
More problems with Stringy stonecrop
Back to the Stringy stonecrop guide
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.