Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Check the drainage holes for blockages.
- Smell the soil for a musty or rotten odor.
- Gently lift the plant to see if the roots look brown and mushy.
Likely causes
Poor drainage
PossibleHow to tell: The soil smells sour or swampy and the leaves turn yellow and mushy.
What to do: Repot the plant into a container with large drainage holes. Use a well draining potting mix and trim away any black, slimy roots with clean scissors.
Overwatering
PossibleHow to tell: The plant looks wilted despite the soil being constantly wet to the touch.
What to do: Wait until the top inch of soil feels dry before watering again. Ensure you are not leaving the pot sitting in a saucer of water for more than 30 minutes.
Find out what's wrong with your hedge mustard
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 turns dark and soft, the rot has likely spread too far to save the plant. It is normal for the plant to look slightly thirsty if you have recently adjusted your watering schedule.
Stopping it coming back
Always use a pot with drainage and avoid letting the plant sit in standing water after you irrigate.
Hedge mustard: root rot? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your hedge mustard 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?
- If you catch it early and remove the damaged roots, the plant can recover. Repotting into fresh, dry soil is the best way to help it bounce back.
- How often should I water?
- Water every 3 to 7 days depending on the heat. Always check the soil moisture before adding more water.
More problems with Hedge mustard
- Why does my hedge mustard have tiny bugs on it?
- Why are my hedge mustard leaves turning yellow?
- Why does my hedge mustard have spots on its leaves?
- Why is my hedge mustard growing so tall and thin?
- Why are my hedge mustard leaves getting brown tips?
- Why is my hedge mustard drooping?
- Why is my hedge mustard dropping leaves?
- Why are my hedge mustard leaves curling?
Back to the Hedge mustard 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.