Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Stick your finger two inches into the soil to check for moisture.
- Lift the pot to see if it feels heavy or wet.
- Check the drainage hole for any blockage.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil feels constantly damp and the base of the plant feels soft or squishy. Leaves may turn yellow or translucent before falling off.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the soil dry out completely. If the plant is severely affected, remove it from the pot, trim away any black, mushy roots, and repot it in fresh, well draining cactus mix.
Poor drainage
PossibleHow to tell: The pot has no drainage holes or the soil is too dense and holds water like a sponge. Water sits at the bottom of the pot, drowning the roots.
What to do: Ensure your pot has drainage holes at the bottom. Use a gritty, fast draining soil mix designed for succulents to prevent water from pooling around the roots.
Find out what's wrong with your groundsel
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 stem base is soft and mushy, the rot may have already traveled too far to save the plant. If the roots are firm and white, you just need to adjust your watering schedule.
Stopping it coming back
Always wait until the soil is bone dry before watering again. Use a terracotta pot to help the soil dry out faster.
Groundsel: root rot? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your groundsel 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 my Senecio?
- Water every 7 to 14 days, but only when the soil is completely dry. In winter, you may need to water even less frequently.
- Can I save a plant with root rot?
- If you catch it early and remove the damaged roots, you can often save the plant. Repotting in fresh, dry soil is essential.
More problems with Groundsel
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.