Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Smell the soil for a sour or musty odor.
- Check if the pot has drainage holes.
- Look for mushy, dark stems near the soil line.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves turn yellow and the stems become mushy at the base. The soil may smell sour or like rotten eggs.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the soil dry out completely. If the rot is advanced, repot the plant into fresh, well draining soil and trim away any black, slimy roots.
Poor Drainage
PossibleHow to tell: Water sits on the surface of the soil for a long time after watering. The pot lacks holes or is sitting in a saucer of standing water.
What to do: Ensure the pot has drainage holes at the bottom. Empty the saucer after watering so the plant never sits in pooled water.
Find out what's wrong with your clover
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 black and mushy, the plant may be too far gone to save. It is normal for a few lower leaves to yellow as they age, but mushy stems indicate a serious problem.
Stopping it coming back
Always use a well draining potting mix and never let the plant sit in standing water. Only water when the top inch of soil is dry.
Clover: root rot? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your clover 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
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Questions people ask
- Can I save a plant with root rot?
- If you catch it early, you can save it by trimming the dead roots and repotting. If the entire root system is mushy, it is usually best to start over.
- How often should I check for root rot?
- Check whenever you water. If the soil is still wet after 7 days, you are likely watering too often.
More problems with Clover
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.