Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Check the soil moisture level by sticking your finger two inches deep.
- Inspect the drainage holes for blockages.
- Smell the soil for a musty or rotten odor.
Likely causes
Poor Drainage
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves turn yellow and drop, and the soil smells sour or swampy.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and check if the drainage holes are blocked. If the soil is heavy clay, mix in grit or perlite to improve aeration.
Overwatering
PossibleHow to tell: The plant wilts even though the soil feels wet to the touch.
What to do: Allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry out before watering again. Ensure the plant is never sitting in a saucer of standing water.
Find out what's wrong with your japanese skimmia
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 feel mushy at the base or the plant is collapsing, the rot may be too advanced to save.
Stopping it coming back
Always use well draining soil and never let the plant sit in water after a heavy rain or irrigation.
Japanese skimmia: root rot? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your japanese skimmia 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 the roots are still firm and white, you can repot it into fresh, dry soil and trim away any black or mushy roots. If the roots are mostly black and slimy, the plant likely cannot be saved.
- How often should I water?
- Water every 7 to 14 days, but always check the soil moisture first. It should be consistently moist but never waterlogged.
More problems with Japanese skimmia
- Why are my Japanese skimmia leaves turning yellow?
- Why are there pests on my Japanese skimmia?
- Why is my Japanese skimmia losing its leaves?
- Why are my Skimmia japonica leaves getting brown tips?
- Why is my Japanese skimmia drooping?
- Why are there spots on my Skimmia japonica leaves?
- Why is my Skimmia japonica not blooming?
- Why is my Skimmia japonica looking leggy?
Back to the Japanese skimmia 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.