Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Stick your finger one inch into the soil to check for dampness.
- Lift the plant to see if water is pooling in the saucer.
- Smell the soil for a sour or rotten odor.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil feels soggy and the leaves turn yellow or mushy. The plant may smell like rotten eggs or swamp water.
What to do: Remove the plant from its pot and trim away any black, mushy roots with clean scissors. Repot into fresh, well draining soil and wait until the top inch is dry before watering again.
Poor Drainage
PossibleHow to tell: Water sits in the bottom of the pot or the saucer for days. The soil stays heavy and dense.
What to do: Ensure your pot has drainage holes at the bottom. Use a potting mix amended with perlite to improve airflow to the roots.
When to worry
If the stems are turning black and mushy at the base, the rot has likely spread too far. If the roots are mostly brown and slimy, the plant is in critical condition.
Stopping it coming back
Always check the soil moisture before watering and never let the pot sit in standing water.
Not sure which one it is? Photograph your arrowhead vine.
This page lists the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at your actual leaf and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
Questions people ask
- Can I save a plant with root rot?
- Yes, if you catch it early enough. You must remove all damaged roots and provide fresh soil to give it a chance to recover.
- How often should I water to avoid this?
- Every 5 to 10 days is a good baseline, but always check the soil first. If it is still damp, wait a few more days.
More problems with Arrowhead Vine
Back to the Arrowhead Vine guide
This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.