Can I save a plant with root rot?

Yes, if you catch it early. Removing the damaged roots and repotting in dry, fresh soil often allows the plant to recover.

How often should I water to avoid rot?

Water every 7 to 14 days, but always check the soil moisture first. Never water on a strict schedule if the soil is still damp.

Bird of paradise: root rot, causes and fixes

Check these first

Smell the soil for a sour or rotten odor.
Check if the soil feels soggy or swampy.
Examine the roots for a black, slimy appearance.

Likely causes

Overwatering
Most likely
How to tell: The leaves turn yellow and mushy, and the soil stays wet for weeks. You might notice a sour or swampy smell coming from the pot.
What to do: Remove the plant from its pot and trim away any black, mushy roots with sterile scissors. Repot into fresh, well draining soil and a pot with drainage holes.
Poor Drainage
Possible
How to tell: Water sits on the surface of the soil for a long time after watering. The pot may lack holes or the soil may be too dense.
What to do: Ensure your pot has drainage holes at the bottom. Mix perlite or orchid bark into your potting soil to improve aeration and drainage.

Root rot in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your bird of paradise

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.

When to worry

If the base of the stem feels soft or mushy, the rot may have spread too far. If the roots are mostly brown and mushy, the plant is in critical condition.

Stopping it coming back

Always let the top 2 inches of soil dry out before watering again. Never let the pot sit in a saucer of standing water.

Bird of paradise: root rot? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your bird of paradise 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.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Can I save a plant with root rot?: Yes, if you catch it early. Removing the damaged roots and repotting in dry, fresh soil often allows the plant to recover.
How often should I water to avoid rot?: Water every 7 to 14 days, but always check the soil moisture first. Never water on a strict schedule if the soil is still damp.

Is my Bird of Paradise suffering from root rot?