Should I fertilize a plant with root rot?

No, never fertilize a sick plant. It will only add stress to the roots while they are trying to recover.

How do I know if the roots are healthy?

Healthy roots are firm and usually white or light tan. Rotted roots are brown, slimy, and fall apart when you touch them.

Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum: root rot, causes and fixes

Check these first

Stick your finger into the soil to check for sogginess.
Lift the pot to see if water is sitting in the saucer.
Smell the soil for a musty or rotting odor.

Likely causes

Overwatering
Most likely
How to tell: The soil feels soggy and the stems near the base look soft or discolored. The plant may also have a sour smell.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top 5 to 8 centimeters of soil dry out. If the rot is advanced, repot the plant into fresh, well draining soil after trimming away the mushy, dark roots.
Poor Drainage
Possible
How to tell: Water sits in the bottom of the pot or the saucer for days after watering. The pot lacks holes at the bottom.
What to do: Move the plant to a pot with drainage holes. Use a chunky soil mix with perlite or orchid bark to ensure water flows through easily.

Root rot in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum

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 stems are turning black and mushy at the base, the rot is severe. If only a few leaves are yellowing, you can likely save the plant with better watering habits.

Stopping it coming back

Always wait until the top few centimeters of soil are dry before watering again. Ensure your pot has drainage holes so excess water can escape.

Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum: root rot? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum 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

Should I fertilize a plant with root rot?: No, never fertilize a sick plant. It will only add stress to the roots while they are trying to recover.
How do I know if the roots are healthy?: Healthy roots are firm and usually white or light tan. Rotted roots are brown, slimy, and fall apart when you touch them.

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