What mimics root rot symptoms?
Written by
Olivia Mitchell
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Symptoms of root rot frequently are misidentified and treated incorrectly. An example is when my lemon tree was dropping leaves like a severe case of rot, but the issue was related to iron deficiency. A proper diagnosis requires a comprehensive evaluation of many factors, from soil type to pests and their activity.
Nutrient Deficiencies
- Nitrogen shortage yellows older leaves first (root rot affects all levels)
- Iron deficiency creates yellow leaves with dark green veins
- Apply balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer to test response within 7 days
Soil Pests
- Fungus gnat larvae chew root hairs, mimicking early rot
- Root aphids cluster at stem bases, causing localized decay
- Drench soil with neem oil (2 tsp/gal) to expose hidden invaders
Chemical Burns
- Overfertilization scorches root tips, creating brown lesions
- Flush soil with 3x pot volume water immediately
- Leaf margins turn crispy white instead of yellow
Soil Compaction
- Dense soil starves roots of oxygen, causing wilt without decay
- Test by inserting chopstick - resistance indicates compaction
- Amend with 30% perlite to restore airflow
Until I examined the snake plant more closely, I had almost repotted it as a result of 'root rot', but to my surprise, the soil was virtually devoid of moisture and contained fungus gnat larvae. Sticky traps indicated the actual problem was not root rot, but an intact and healthy root system with compromised roots infested by pests. Always refer back to several forms of diagnosis before treating your plant!
Read the full article: Root Rot Symptoms: Signs, Causes, and Solutions
