Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Feel the soil an inch deep to check for sogginess.
- Lift the plant to see if the pot is heavy with water.
- Smell the soil for a musty or rotting odor.
Likely causes
Overwatering
PossibleHow to tell: The leaves will droop and turn yellow or mushy at the base. The soil will feel constantly wet and smell slightly sour.
What to do: Remove the plant from its pot and trim away any black, mushy roots with clean scissors. Repot the plant into fresh, well draining potting mix and a pot with drainage holes.
Poor Drainage
PossibleHow to tell: Water sits at the bottom of the pot for days after watering. The plant shows signs of stress despite your best efforts.
What to do: Ensure your pot has holes at the bottom for excess water to escape. Use a chunky soil mix with perlite to improve aeration.
Find out what's wrong with your stromanthe
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
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When to worry
If the stems are turning black at the soil line, the rot may have progressed too far. Act immediately if you notice a foul smell.
Stopping it coming back
Always let the top inch of soil dry out before watering again. Never let your Stromanthe sit in a saucer full of water.
Stromanthe: root rot? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your stromanthe 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?
- Yes, if you catch it early enough. Trimming the dead roots and repotting in fresh soil often allows the plant to recover.
- How often should I water?
- Check the soil every 5 to 10 days. Only water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
More problems with Stromanthe
- Why are my Stromanthe's leaf tips turning brown?
- Why does my Stromanthe have pests?
- Why are my Stromanthe leaves curling?
- Why is my Stromanthe drooping?
- Why are my Stromanthe leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my Stromanthe dropping leaves?
- Why are there spots on my Stromanthe leaves?
- Why is my Stromanthe looking leggy?
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.