Root rot is a disease that causes plant roots to rot due to prolonged exposure to wet soil conditions. It can be caused by overwatering, which starves the roots of oxygen, leading to their death. This rot can spread quickly and may persist even after the soil has dried out. To treat root rot, follow these seven steps:
- Remove the rotting parts of the plant’s roots and foliage using sharp pruning shears or scissors, taking care not to damage any healthy growth.
- Repot the plant with fresh soil.
- Cut off any damaged roots and stems.
- Repot the plant in new soil.
- Clean the roots under running water.
- If potted plants are treated for root rot, water them less, letting the soil get to the correct level of moisture before watering again.
To prevent root rot in potted plants, remove the pot and soil, trim away damaged roots and leaves, and repot the plant. Cut any affected roots and spray with hydrogen peroxide to kill any remaining bacteria that may cause the roots to rot again.
In summary, root rot is a disease that can be treated by following these seven steps:
- Remove the rotting parts of the plant’s roots and foliage using sharp pruning shears or scissors.
- Repot the plant with fresh soil.
- Trim away any damaged roots and leaves.
- Spray with hydrogen peroxide to kill any remaining bacteria that may cause the roots to rot again. By following these steps, you can help save your houseplants from overwatering and diseases.
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I just tried this method (the hydrogen peroxide method) on my jungle velvet calathea and fingers crossed it works! I was so shocked to find root rot, as the plant was putting out three new leaves, so I thought it was doing well. What signaled me to look was a leaf that was not yellowing yesterday was yellowing today and I had not watered it recently. I pulled it out of its decorative pot and there was a funky smell to it. When I got it out of the nursery pot, the roots were so bound I was afraid to cut the dead parts out. Thank you for this article. Even if it does not work, I know now I should have repotted it out of the nursery pot sooner, and I have learned some valuable methods from this article, as well.
So happy to get this info . I hope this works on Hydrangea plants because I just did it, they both had it way worse than what you showed in the article. should I buy that fungi that you talked about also trichoderma and put some in there. The plants both have some leaves, but thay were starting to die off and 1 still have new growth at the same time. I transplanted them when I first received them but not knowing what it looks like costs me. so had to transplant them back into smaller pots. It was over 100 for about a month here so I just kept them inside, because 1 day outside and they were so droopy. not even in doppled sunlight. any other tips for me to save them? and how soon and often should I water them ?
No, you didn’t do this in a ‘confusing way’ I understood. It is just very hard to uproot my large monstera lol. I am going to take your advice tonight! If you dont mind though, I do have a question regarding curling. Couldn’t this be due to a cold temp in the house like a calethia? The reason I ask all this is because I have a large monstera I am going to repot because it just isn’t drinking the water (no dirt) it has some yellowing around the edges of some of the leaves and also has one or two that are curled at these edges. I plan to soak the root ball in peroxide regardless but thought it would be easier since it is so large to just water with it.
Hi! Thanks for the tips. I have adopted a birds nest fern that is severely root bound and has severe root rot. It has a lot of very healthy leaves but the newer leaves aren’t as healthy as the older leaves. If all roots are all brown (on the outside), will this method help? And with the severity of the root bind+rot, is it necessary to remove the rotted and bound roots?
Hi my rosemary leaves are turning brown, i’m guessing it’s a root rot. I will try and do this method, I hope it will work. I don’t want it to die 😔 After I treat it with this mixture, should I rewater it again with same mixture? Or should I water it without any mixture? Can I use 2 part water and 1 part 3% hydrogen peroxide mixture as a regular water for my plants? Is it okay or harmful for plants? Can my plants die if everytime I water them I use that mixture? Thankyou for fast respond. I really need it, my rosemary is dying at the moment 💔
Do I have to uproot my plant like you did and treat them with the solution, or do I leave my plant potted and water it and treat it with the solution, also do I have to water my plant every time with the solution or do I use the solution on it once and wait for it to come back to life ? I’m new to all of this
Okay so this is definitely helped me out because I have a Chinese evergreen that I purchased off of someone off of Facebook market. it has a massive root ball I’ve gotten the majority of the dirt off of it but a lot of the dirt and debris is difficult for me to get off. So I can literally just pour hydrogen peroxide mixture on top of the roots while it’s still in the root ball and it should kill the root rot but I may have to do it again is what you’re saying.
I’m going to try this. I bought a bix organic bottom mixed hanging plant from the nursing. It looked amazing for about 2 weeks. Now I’m struggling to keep it alive. When i looked at it many of the stem are brown going into the soil. I don’t know how to repot it since it came on a moss type organic bottom. Should I just try pouring the bleach or hydrogen method in the plant? Thank you so much
Hello, I have a rotting root problem. I cut off the rotten roots, soaked them in hydrogen peroxide and have since put the monstera back in water and found still rotting roots. What should I do? I don’t have perlite or sphagnum. Can I treat it again with hydrogen peroxide and put it in lecca? Please I need help I’m afraid she’s dying. Thanks for your articles and tips.
One of my alocasia black velvet’s bulb babies is turning brown and the stem is dark, and one of the mother plant leaves has a brown spot, so i pulled it out the pot to see but the outer roots look fine, i dont want to mess the dirt not to hurt the many many babies, can i just water her with this solution, will it be enough? Will it hurt the babies? Thank you so much
I’m desperate! I have a 10’ tall and wide rose bush that suddenly turned black and began to stink. I’ve tried the hydrogen peroxide but don’t know how often to do it and how much I need as the roots no doubt go down very deeply. It’s so big and to lose it after 6 years is just so sad. Your article was great by the way 🙂
My fiddle leaf fig has a minor case of root rot. Still putting out new leaves but the bottom ones are blackening at the edges and dropping. Roots are a light brown and some are soft/a bit squishy. I just did this peroxide treatment but don’t know if I should trim bad roots or not? Most fiddle people tell you to clean the root ball, trim roots, and repot. But I’ve seen that typically stress out the plant so much it drops all of its leaves 🙁 does my plan seem like a good one since I don’t have a desperate case?