Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Check if the pot has drainage holes at the bottom.
- Feel the soil to see if it is muddy or saturated.
- Sniff the soil to detect any foul or rotten odors.
Likely causes
Poor drainage
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil feels soggy and smells sour or swampy. You might see the plant wilting even though the soil is wet.
What to do: Repot the plant into a container with plenty of drainage holes. Use a fresh, well draining potting mix that allows excess water to escape easily.
Overwatering
PossibleHow to tell: The stems turn mushy or black at the base near the soil line. The leaves may turn yellow and drop off rapidly.
What to do: Adjust your watering schedule to every 3 to 7 days, ensuring the top inch of soil is just starting to dry before adding more. Never let the pot sit in a saucer of standing water for more than 30 minutes.
Find out what's wrong with your lesser stitchwort
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 are black and mushy at the base, the plant is likely too far gone to save. It is normal for a few older leaves to yellow occasionally as the plant grows.
Stopping it coming back
Always empty the saucer after watering and ensure your potting mix is light and airy.
Lesser stitchwort: root rot? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your lesser stitchwort 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, you can trim away the black, slimy roots and repot the plant in fresh soil. If the majority of the roots are mushy, it is usually best to start over.
- How often should I water to avoid rot?
- Aim for every 3 to 7 days, but always touch the soil first. If it still feels damp, wait another day or two.
More problems with Lesser stitchwort
- Why are there bugs on my Lesser stitchwort?
- Why is my Lesser stitchwort growing so thin and tall?
- Why is my Lesser stitchwort drooping?
- Why are my Lesser stitchwort leaves turning yellow?
- Why are my Lesser stitchwort tips turning brown?
- Why is my Lesser stitchwort not flowering?
- Why are my Lesser stitchwort leaves curling?
Back to the Lesser stitchwort 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.