How to Save a Plant with Root Rot (Part 1) / What Root Rot Looks Like in Houseplants

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.

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Hello and welcome to Healthy Houseplants, where we teach you all about gardening in the great indoors. Today’s video is sponsored by our Amazon affiliate link, which you’ll find in the comment section below.

In today’s video, I’ll show you what root rot looks like. A lot of people ask, “What does root rot look like?” Well, this is what it looks like in a plant. Yes, it may look dry, but it had been like this even when it was wet. I’ve been working on getting rid of the root rot, and we’ll have another video discussing that in more detail. But I wanted to show you what it looks like now.

One of the first signs you’ll notice is the curling of the leaves. If you see strange curling of leaves, especially when the soil is wet, it’s a clear sign of root rot. Even when the soil is dry and I water it, the curling persists, just as it happened with this plant.

When I first received this plant as a rescue, it was sopping wet and had been sitting in stagnant water for too long, which caused it to get sick. It displayed this droopy appearance. Another sign you can look for is a powdery substance on the surface of the soil. If you closely observe the soil, you’ll notice that it has a powdery substance, which is actually fungal spores. At one point, I even saw mushrooms growing on the surface of the soil, which is a strong indicator of root rot.

Leaf loss is another sign of root rot, though this particular plant hasn’t lost many leaves. Another symptom you may notice is the tips of the leaves turning brown or black. This can mean the plant has been either too wet or too dry, but in this case, it’s too wet.

If you check the base or the stem of the plant and it feels unusually squishy, that’s another sign of root rot. A musty, unpleasant smell is also typical of root rot. I’ve dried out the soil here to help kill the rot, and there’s no smell when it’s dry. I will soon be repotting the plant and continuing my efforts to revive it.

Lastly, black or dark brown spots on the leaves are another symptom of root rot. This particular plant hasn’t shown these spots, but it’s something to look out for in your plants.

For those of you just getting started, I’m giving this plant some water now, but it’s important to note that it’s doing better since I stopped overwatering it. When I first received it, it looked a lot worse.

That’s all for today’s explanation of what root rot looks like. Please leave comments about any indoor gardening tutorials you’d like to see, and don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share this video!

How do I propagate pothos using rooting hormone?

What is the first step in propagating pothos?

Start by preparing the pothos cuttings and applying rooting hormone to the end of each cutting. Gently tap off any excess hormone, then place the cuttings into the rooting medium, ensuring the hole isn’t too deep.

Do I need a humidity dome for pothos propagation?

Yes, a humidity dome is essential to maintain moisture and create a mini greenhouse effect. It keeps the conditions ideal for rooting, preventing the cuttings from drying out.

How long does it take for pothos to root?

It can take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks for pothos cuttings to root. You can gently tug on the cuttings to check for roots, but be careful not to damage them.

Where should I place my pothos cuttings for best results?

Place the cuttings in a location with medium light. Avoid direct sunlight as it can burn the leaves. The cuttings don’t need much light while rooting but will need more once the roots start to form.

Can I propagate pothos without rooting hormone?

Yes, rooting hormone isn’t strictly necessary. While it can speed up the process, pothos will root without it as long as the environment remains moist and warm.