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Ivy-leaved speedwell · Veronica hederifolia

Why is my Ivy-leaved speedwell wilting and showing root rot?

Root rot happens when the soil stays too wet for too long, preventing the roots from getting oxygen. Check the soil moisture levels and the drainage of your pot right away.

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root rot on a plant
Photo: Ninjatacoshell, CC BY-SA 3.0

Check these first

  1. Stick your finger an inch into the soil to check for sogginess.
  2. Lift the pot to see if water is trapped in the saucer.
  3. Gently pull the plant out to inspect the roots for color and texture.

Likely causes

  1. Overwatering

    Most likely

    How to tell: The plant looks wilted even when the soil is wet, and the stems may feel mushy near the base. The roots will turn brown or black and smell unpleasant.

    What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top inch of soil dry out. If the damage is severe, repot the plant into fresh, well-draining soil and trim away any black, slimy roots.

  2. Poor drainage

    Most likely

    How to tell: Water pools at the bottom of the pot or the soil stays soggy for more than a week. The plant will stop growing and the leaves may turn yellow or brown.

    What to do: Ensure your pot has drainage holes at the bottom. Use a potting mix amended with perlite to improve aeration and prevent water from sitting around the roots.

Root rot in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your ivy-leaved speedwell

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 base of the stems is turning black and mushy, the rot has likely reached the crown. This is often fatal for the plant.

Stopping it coming back

Only water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, and never let the plant sit in standing water.

Ivy-leaved speedwell: root rot? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your ivy-leaved speedwell 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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Questions people ask

Can I fix roots that have already turned brown?
You can trim off the mushy, dead roots with clean scissors. If there are still healthy white roots left, the plant has a good chance of recovering in fresh soil.
How often should I check the roots?
You do not need to check them often unless the plant looks unhappy. If the plant is growing well, leave the roots alone.

More problems with Ivy-leaved speedwell

Back to the Ivy-leaved speedwell 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.