What are the first signs of root rot?
Written by
Olivia Mitchell
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Saving your plant from root rot takes early detection. Even with perfect watering habits, yellowing lower leaves are one of the biggest warning signs. Mine budded yellowing leaves before showing signs of wilting. A putrid soil smell indicates advanced rot. Stunted growth can happen weeks before symptoms show. Always check the roots!
Above-Ground Symptoms
- Persistent wilting despite watering
- Yellowing starting from oldest leaves
- Stunted or deformed new growth
- Premature leaf drop
- Visible mold on soil surface
Below-Ground Evidence
- Dark brown or black root discoloration
- Mushy texture when roots are squeezed
- Rotten egg odor from root zone
- Roots that crumble easily
- Lack of white feeder roots
Yellowing leaves can often be seen from the bottom up and indicate that trouble is on the way before roots are affected. I saw yellow edges on my peace lily before any roots showed signs of trouble. If you notice this, check the soil moisture. If it's wet, hold off watering. If it's dry, think root failure. Either way, it's trouble!
Foul odors are a sure sign. That rotten egg smell will indicate that anaerobic bacteria are at work. I certainly smelled it on my fern before I unpotted it. Trust your notes over what you see! When sniffing the soil, be sure to remove any decorative mulch first and smell near the drainage holes.
Suspicions confirmed at root inspection. Slide those plants out of their pots. Healthy roots are white and resilient, while rotten roots fall apart like wet paper. A DIY inspection is intense work (wear gloves), and it's best practice to rinse the dirt from the roots for a clearer view. I was able to save my monstera once I found the brown roots and took action immediately.
Stunted growth. New leaves fall short month after month. Stems go limp. This describes what happened to my snake plant last winter. Measure the growth monthly against other healthy specimens to compare it. Find out what is wrong if growth has stalled. It may save you heartache down the stretch.
Read the full article: How to Treat Root Rot: Save Your Plants Now
