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perennial sowthistle · Sonchus arvensis

Why is my perennial sowthistle showing signs of root rot?

Root rot is less common for this hardy plant and is almost always caused by water sitting around the roots for too long. Check the soil drainage immediately to prevent further damage.

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root rot on a plant
Photo: Ninjatacoshell, CC BY-SA 3.0

Check these first

  1. Smell the soil for a foul or swampy odor.
  2. Gently lift the plant to see if the roots are dark and mushy.
  3. Confirm that the pot has holes at the bottom.

Likely causes

  1. Poor Drainage

    Most likely

    How to tell: The plant wilts even when the soil is wet. The stems near the soil line look dark or mushy.

    What to do: Repot the plant into fresh, well draining soil. Trim away any black or slimy roots with sterile shears before replanting.

  2. Overwatering

    Possible

    How to tell: The plant stops growing and the leaves turn yellow or brown. The soil smells sour or musty.

    What to do: Reduce your watering frequency to every 14 days. Ensure the pot has plenty of drainage holes to prevent standing water.

Root rot in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your perennial sowthistle

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 is soft and mushy at the base, the rot may be too advanced to save the plant. Act quickly as soon as you notice a foul smell.

Stopping it coming back

Use a well draining potting mix and never let the plant sit in a saucer of water. Always check that the soil is drying out between waterings.

Perennial sowthistle: root rot? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your perennial sowthistle 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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Questions people ask

Can I save a plant with root rot?
If you catch it early and remove all the damaged roots, the plant has a good chance of recovering. Repotting into dry, fresh soil is essential.
How do healthy roots look?
Healthy roots are firm and usually white or light tan. Mushy, dark, or smelly roots are a sign of decay.

More problems with perennial sowthistle

Back to the perennial sowthistle 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.