How to Solve Root Rot

Root rot is a common problem that befalls indoor plants, and is nearly always a result of poor drainage or improper watering. If your indoor plant has root rot, the only way to save the plant is to act the moment you begin to notice symptoms, which include dull color, wilting and mushy stems. If the root rot is extensive, the problem may be impossible to solve. Consider the loss of your plant a learning experience, then start fresh with a new, healthy plant.

Things You'll Need

• Clean pot with drainage hole
• Household bleach
• Kitchen shears
• Commercial potting soil
• Perlite or coarse sand

Instructions

1. Repot your plant into a different pot. If the pot has been used before, disinfect the pot before planting by soaking the pot in a mixture of one part household bleach to nine parts water. Soak the pot for 30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

2. Remove the plant from its pot. Use sterile kitchen shears to prune the plant's rotten roots. Healthy roots will have a fibrous appearance and will have firm, white tips. Rotted roots will be slimy, and will be brown or black.

3. Fill the pot with a good-quality commercial potting soil. Mix a handful of perlite or coarse sand into the soil to improve drainage. Use a pot with at least one drainage hole in the bottom.

4. Water your plant when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch, then don't water again until the top of the soil is dry again. Water deeply, allowing water to drip through the drainage hole, then let the plant drain completely before putting the plant back on the drainage saucer.

5. Water your plant sparingly during the winter months, keeping the soil only lightly moist. Overwatering during the winter is often the cause of root rot.

Tips & Warnings

• Discard the plant if the root rot is extensive and the plant can't be saved. Discard the potting soil along with the plant, and never attempt to reuse potting soil that has held a rotted plant. Place the plant and potting soil in a plastic bag in the garbage. Don't place an infected plant or infected soil on your compost heap.

• Sterilize your kitchen shears by wiping them with rubbing alcohol.

References

• University of Minnesota Extension: Root Rot of Houseplants; Jill Pokorny
• Oregon State University Extension: Give Houseplants TLC in Winter; Carol Savonen
• Purdue University Extension: Houseplant Problems; Paul C. Pecknold; 2001