How to Treat Root Rot
Root rot is a common occurrence with many house plants, as they are often more crowded in their pots than outdoor landscaping plants and can easily be over-watered. Root rot can occur when there is poor drainage in the soil, an inadequate amount of light, plant crowding and continuous moisture in the soil. Signs to watch for are yellowing leaves, stunted growth and wilting. You can treat root rot if you catch it quickly enough, so always keep a close eye on indoor plants. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Sharp scissors or shears
- Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol
- Bleach
- Water
- Fresh potting soil
- Fungicide
- Drill (optional)
Instructions
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1
Remove the plant from the pot and examine the roots for evidence of decay. Healthy root systems will be white and firm, with small white feeder rootlets visible; rotted ones will be soft to the touch, mushy and brown, and usually missing the smaller rootlets.
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2
Use a pair of sharp scissors or small hand shears that have been sterilized in isopropyl alcohol and remove the dead roots by carefully snipping them off. You may need to remove a good chunk of the root system if the damage is extreme. Douse the scissors in between cutting to keep them sterilized so you do not reinfect the plant.
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3
Prune any additional leaves that appear dead or yellowed, with the exception of orchids. Other larger plants may have an additional one-third of the leaves trimmed to take the burden off the burgeoning root system while the plant is rejuvenating.
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4
Throw out the old soil from the pot and disinfect the container with a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water. Allow the solution to soak in the pot for 30 minutes before rinsing and drying the container.
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5
Dip the roots in a fungicide that is neem-based if you have animals or small children, as these types of fungicides are nontoxic. If there are no toxicity worries in the home, you may choose a thiophanate-methyl systematic fungicide such as Cleary 3336 WP.
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Make sure the container has good drainage before repotting, as this may have been the cause of the root rot. Drill a few extra holes if needed, and repot the plant in fresh soil that is lightly moistened.
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Water your plant sparingly for several weeks, adding moisture only when the top soil is dried out. Once new growth is established in two to three weeks you may begin a normal watering schedule, being careful not to over-water.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not trim leaves from orchids. Orchids will utilize the energy from older leaves while the new root system is developing and later drop the leaves on its own when they are no longer needed for sustenance.
Avoid fertilizing your plant while it is trying to re-establish growth; it can shock the plant.
Always remove dead leaves that have fallen from the plant from the soil immediately; this can promote fungal conditions.
Root rot enters through small feeder roots and can wipe out the entire plant within seven to 10 days.
