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Check these first
- Feel the soil an inch deep to see if it is soggy.
- Check that the pot has holes at the bottom.
- Smell the soil for a musty or rotten odor.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves turn yellow or mushy, and the soil smells sour.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the soil dry out. If the damage is severe, remove the plant from the pot and trim away any black or slimy roots.
Poor drainage
PossibleHow to tell: Water sits in the bottom of the pot or the soil stays soggy for more than a week.
What to do: Repot the plant into a container with drainage holes using a well-draining potting mix. Ensure you empty the saucer after watering.
Find out what's wrong with your small-leaf spiderwort
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 stems are turning black at the base, the rot may be too advanced to save the plant. Act as soon as you notice yellowing leaves.
Stopping it coming back
Only water when the top inch of soil is dry, and always use a pot with drainage holes.
Small-leaf spiderwort: root rot? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your small-leaf spiderwort 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.
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Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
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Questions people ask
- Can I save a plant with root rot?
- If you catch it early and remove the damaged roots, you can repot it in fresh soil and it may recover.
- How often should I water?
- Water every 5 to 10 days, but always check the soil moisture first rather than following a strict schedule.
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Back to the Small-leaf spiderwort guide
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.