Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Check the soil moisture by sticking your finger 2 inches deep.
- Inspect the drainage holes to ensure they are not blocked.
- Smell the soil for any signs of decay.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The plant looks wilted even when the soil feels damp, and the stems near the base turn mushy or dark. You might also notice a sour smell coming from the soil.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top 2 inches of soil dry out. If the plant is in a pot, ensure it has drainage holes and remove any standing water from the saucer.
Poor Drainage
Most likelyHow to tell: Water sits on the surface of the soil for a long time after watering. The roots appear brown and slimy rather than firm and white.
What to do: Repot the plant into a container with fresh, well draining potting mix. Trim away any black or mushy roots with sterilized scissors before replanting.
Find out what's wrong with your white campion
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 entire base of the stem is soft and mushy, the plant is likely beyond recovery. It is normal for a few older roots to die back during repotting.
Stopping it coming back
Always use a well draining soil mix and wait until the top inch of soil is dry before watering again.
White campion: root rot? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your white campion 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
- Can I save a plant with root rot?
- Yes, if you catch it early. Trim the dead roots and move the plant to fresh, dry soil.
- How often should I water to avoid this?
- Check your plant every 3 to 7 days. Only water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
More problems with White campion
- Why does my White campion have orange spots on its leaves?
- Why is my White campion growing tall and floppy?
- Why is my White campion drooping?
- Why are my white campion's leaves turning yellow?
- Why are my white campion's leaf tips turning brown?
- Why is my white campion losing its leaves?
- Why isn't my white campion blooming?
- What are the bugs on my white campion?
Back to the White campion 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.