Secret Guide to Treating Root Rot Successfully

Have you ever smelled the foul roots when watering or propagating your plant in water? That’s the very sign of root rot. 

If your plants ever incur root rot, they will make sure you notice the problem with some visible symptoms. To save the affected plants from root rot, read the article to the end!

What does Root Rot Look Like?

Plant root rot is a condition after too much water on the roots, poor drainage, lack of oxygen and fungi invited by the problems mentioned earlier.

Look below for how roots laced with root rot differ from healthy ones.

Your plant will show symptoms like stunted growth, yellow or brown leaves, and reduced leaf size.

You can follow the steps below to check whether your plant has incurred root rot.

• Gently remove the plant from the pot.
• Shake off the excess dirt in the root area.
• Scrutinize the root to notice any of the above indicators.
• If the symptoms match the symptoms in the table above, your plant has suffered from root rot.

If you are having problems differentiating between overwatered and underwatered plants, we will help you.

Root Rot Treatment: Repotting as the Final Frontier

Once your plants are deeply rooted in the problem of root rot, escaping is quite tricky.

To treat plants with root rot, you must act quickly on the initial stages of the infection. You should be ready to repot the plant if push comes to shove.

Let us look at DIY root rot treatment in its initial stages.

• After you have confirmed the signs, take the plant out of the pot.
• Inspect the roots properly and look for brown, mushy, and decaying roots.
• If the situation has not escalated, cut off the affected part using sterilized pruners.
• In the process, cut the affected foliage of the plant as well.
• To prevent further spread, you can apply suitable fungicides on the roots.

Remember, it is not possible to reverse severe root rot.

Due to its irreversible nature, you will need to repot your plant as the final solution to root rot.

But before repotting the plant, you need to consider the three S’s of repotting: 

Sterilize: You need to apply fungicide to the new pot you are repotting your plant into.

Soil: Make sure you understand the soil requirement of your plant and use healthy soil accordingly.

Suitable pot: While repotting a plant suffering from root rot, you must ensure the new pot is suitable. Check its drainage capacity and airflow properly.

How to Prevent Root Rot?

Root rot is one of the deadliest diseases a plant can suffer from, so it is better to prevent it beforehand.

Look below for the ways you can prevent root rot in your plants.

• Use a pot and soil that can provide good drainage to your plant.
• Constantly check the soil, as it can clump and go bad if unchecked for some time.
• Stick to a watering schedule and avoid overwatering the soil even if the drainage is good.
• If you ever overwater your plant, keep them in the sunshine for some time to let the excess water dry out.
• Aerate the soil using a toothpick or chopstick. To do so, poke a few holes in the top of the soil.
• Choose plants like citrus, persimmon, custard apple, sweet pepperbush, etc., to grow as they have a strong and healthy root system.

Remember, plants like Pothos, Snake Plant, Aloe Vera, and Monstera quickly incur root rot damage.

Learn the above prevention tips by heart, as root rot caused by overwatering is one of the houseplants’ leading causes of death.