Root rot is a common cause of houseplant death. This video shows you how to spot root rot. The video features a ficus plant that is suffering from root rot. You will see that the leaves are curled, which is one sign of root rot. Other signs of houseplant root rot include a film of mildew-mold on top of the soil, mushrooms in the soil and an unpleasant odor coming from the soil. Other typical signs of root rot include spotting on houseplant leaves and leaf loss and mushy stems and crowns.
#healthyhouseplants #houseplantcare #rootrot #planthealth #overwatering #indoorplants #houseplanttips #plantrescue #gardeningindoors #plantproblems
Hello and welcome to HealthyHouseplants.com, where we teach you all about gardening in the great indoors. Today’s video is sponsored by our Amazon affiliate link, which you’ll see in the comment section below.
So today, I’m going to show you what root rot looks like. I have viewers who ask me, “What does root rot look like?” This plant here has root rot. Yes, it is dry now; however, it was looking like this even when it was wet. I have been working on getting rid of the root rot, and we’re going to have another video with more details on that, but I just want to show you what it’s like.
There are some signs of root rot you can spot. One sign is the curling of the leaves. The strange curling of leaves, especially when the soil is wet, is a sign of root rot. For example, this plant is dry right now, but when I would water it, the leaves would still curl like this, which is what was happening before. When I was first given this plant as a rescue, it was sopping wet and had been sitting in this soggy soil, which caused it to get sick. It was doing this droopy thing.
Even worse, if you look at the soil closely, you can see a powdery substance on the soil’s surface. That powdery substance is actually fungus spores. At one point, when I first got this plant, which is still alive as you can see (so I am trying to revive it), there were even mushrooms growing on the soil’s surface. Mushrooms on the top of your soil are definitely a sign of root rot.
Other signs of root rot include leaf loss. This plant hasn’t lost too many leaves, but you’ll often see the tips of the leaves becoming brown or black. This can also be caused by too much or too little water, but in this case, it was caused by overwatering. Another sign is if you feel the base or stem of the plant and it’s squishy or weirdly soft — that’s another indicator of root rot.
Root rot can also be identified by smell. There’s often a musty, unpleasant odor when the soil is wet. This plant had that smell, but now that the soil has dried out as part of my effort to stop the root rot, it’s much better. I will be repotting it soon and continuing my efforts to revive it. In future videos, I’ll share more about saving a plant with root rot.
Lastly, spotting on the leaves — dark brown or black spots — can also be a sign of root rot. This plant doesn’t have leaf spotting, but it is another common symptom to watch for.
So, that’s what root rot looks like. I will be giving this plant some water now, so it won’t stay completely dry, but honestly, it’s doing much better now that I’ve stopped overwatering it. Believe it or not, it looked a lot worse when I first got it!
Thank you for watching and learning about root rot. Please leave comments about any indoor gardening tutorials you’d like to see. Remember to like, comment, subscribe, and share this video.
FAQs about Root Rot in Houseplants
What is root rot?
Root rot is a condition where the roots of a plant decay, often caused by overwatering and poor soil drainage. It leads to symptoms such as curling leaves, leaf loss, and the plant’s overall decline.
What does root rot look like?
Signs of root rot include curling leaves (especially when the soil is wet), powdery fungus on the soil surface, and sometimes even mushrooms growing in the soil. The base or stem of the plant might feel squishy, and there may be a musty, unpleasant odor coming from the soil.
Why are the leaves curling?
Curling leaves, particularly when the soil is wet, is one of the primary indicators of root rot. This is caused by the plant’s roots being unable to take up water and nutrients properly due to decay.
Why do I see powdery fungus or mushrooms in my plant’s soil?
The presence of powdery fungus or mushrooms in your plant’s soil is a sign of fungal growth, which is often associated with root rot. This is due to the soil remaining too wet for an extended period.
Can root rot cause leaf loss?
Yes, root rot can cause leaf loss. When the roots are damaged, the plant cannot get enough nutrients, leading to leaves falling off.
How can I tell if the base of my plant is affected by root rot?
Check the base or stem of your plant. If it feels unusually soft or squishy, this is a common sign of root rot.
How does root rot smell?
Root rot often produces a musty, unpleasant odor when the soil is wet. If your plant’s soil smells odd, it could be a sign that the roots are rotting.
How can I treat a plant with root rot?
The first step is to stop overwatering and allow the soil to dry out. Repotting the plant in fresh soil can also help, and trimming away any severely damaged roots is recommended.
Patreon: 
/ healthyhouseplants
One-time donation: https://ko-fi.com/healthyhouseplants
Sign up for my monthly newsletter: http://eepurl.com/g1PCSH
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I may earn commissions for purchases made through the links below.
Espoma organic houseplant food: https://amzn.to/40U51xe
Full-spectrum Light Bulb-Large: https://amzn.to/3yR6VBu
Share to Social Media.