Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Feel the soil an inch deep to see if it is wet.
- Check the bottom of the pot for standing water.
- Smell the soil for a sour or rotten odor.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The base of the plant feels mushy and the leaves turn yellow or brown at the bottom.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top 2 inches of soil dry out completely. If the soil stays wet, repot the plant into a container with better drainage holes and fresh, well draining soil.
Poor Drainage
PossibleHow to tell: Water pools on the surface of the soil for a long time after watering.
What to do: Mix in perlite or coarse sand to improve the soil structure. Ensure the pot has large holes at the bottom to allow excess water to escape.
Find out what's wrong with your western blue-eyed grass
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 base of the plant is black and mushy, it is likely too late to save it. Some yellowing at the very base is normal as the plant ages.
Stopping it coming back
Only water when the top inch of soil is dry and always use a pot with drainage holes.
Western blue-eyed grass: root rot? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your western blue-eyed grass 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.
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Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
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Questions people ask
- Can I save a plant with root rot?
- If you catch it early, you can trim away the mushy roots and repot in fresh soil. If the entire root system is black and slimy, it is best to start over.
- How often should I water?
- Water every 7 to 14 days depending on the heat. Always check the soil dryness before adding more water.
More problems with Western blue-eyed grass
Back to the Western blue-eyed grass 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.