Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Feel the top inch of soil for excessive moisture.
- Smell the soil for a musty or rotten odor.
- Inspect the base of the stem for mushy tissue.
Likely causes
Poor drainage
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves are wilting even though the soil is wet. The roots will look mushy, dark, and smell unpleasant.
What to do: Remove the plant from its pot and trim away any black or slimy roots with clean scissors. Repot the plant into fresh, well draining potting mix and ensure the container has drainage holes.
Overwatering
PossibleHow to tell: The soil stays constantly soggy for more than a week. The plant shows yellowing leaves at the base.
What to do: Allow the top inch of soil to dry out completely before watering again. Adjust your schedule to water every 3 to 7 days depending on the current temperature.
Find out what's wrong with your feverfew
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 base is soft and mushy, the rot has likely spread too far to save the plant. If only the tips of the roots are affected, you can usually save it with a repotting.
Stopping it coming back
Always use pots with drainage holes and wait until the top inch of soil is dry before adding more water.
Feverfew: root rot? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your feverfew 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 feverfew with root rot?
- If you catch it early and remove the damaged roots, the plant can recover. Make sure to use fresh soil to avoid reintroducing fungal spores.
- How often should I water my feverfew?
- Water every 3 to 7 days, but only when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
More problems with Feverfew
- Why are there bugs on my Feverfew?
- Why does my Feverfew have white spots on its leaves?
- Why is my Feverfew growing so tall and leggy?
- Why is my Feverfew wilting?
- Why are my Feverfew's leaves turning yellow?
- Why are my Feverfew's leaf tips turning brown?
- Why is my feverfew not flowering?
- Why are my feverfew leaves curling?
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.