Root rot is a common problem with succulents and other plants that can kill them if left untreated. Preventing root rot isn’t hard, but identifying it and then fixing it can be. Fixing succulent root rot is a relatively simple process, but it does require that you act quickly.
To fix succulent root rot, you need first to remove the plant from the soil. After carefully washing the roots without damaging the plant and then cutting off the affected roots, replant the succulent in fresh soil. Be sure to use a pot that allows for plenty of water drainage.
Throughout this article, you’ll also learn the following information about succulent root rot:
- What root rot is and why it happens
- How to spot root rot and get ahead of it
- How to be proactive in planting, so that root rot does not occur
- Additional methods for fixing root rot
Aren’t Succulents Invincible?
Succulents are indeed one of the easiest plants to grow. People new to gardening and those without a “green thumb” for keeping plants alive often keep succulents because of their ability to thrive and survive without a lot of upkeep. You can go on vacation and often not worry about your plants dying. That’s a far stretch from other plants that usually require much more rigorous care.
Other than a random orchid that I once kept alive in my windowsill for four months, my succulents are the only plants I’ve had that have stood the test of time, or in this case, the seasons. They’re an excellent option for beginners, yes, but no plant is invincible.
What Is Root Rot?
Root rot in succulent plants is spotted when the roots of a plant are soft and brown or black in color. Because they are often grown in containers, they are particularly susceptible, often because of inadequate drainage.
Root rot, though common, can be dangerous for plants and can even kill them if it is not caught quickly and fixed. Think of it in terms of a domino effect:
- Healthy plant. Then a single root becomes infected. Like any infectious disease, the infected root wants company.
- Infected root. It then infects another root that then affects another, and then another, and so on and so forth.
- Dead plant. Before you know it, you’ve got an entirely infected plant suffering from root rot that, though seemingly normal the day before, can actually die overnight.
In short, when one root becomes infected, they soon all become infected, much like a pushed domino quickly causes the other dominoes in its path to fall.
Why Do Succulents Get Root Rot?
Succulents get root rot for the same reasons most other plants get root rot. Here are a few of the most common causes:
Wet Soil
Yes, succulents are hearty plants. Yes, they can withstand various temperatures. But none of that matters if you use a soil that traps too much water. Succulents need soil that is especially prone to drainage.
This Professional Succulent and Cactus Soil Mix from Amazon is especially effective at providing proper drainage for your plants and may help to prevent root rot.
Overwatering
We all like the idea of a little gardening. We turn on the hose or grab a trust watering can, and we sprinkle sprinkle sprinkle until our plants look refreshingly quenched of their thirst. Most of the time, though, we water too much. Perhaps the plant isn’t planted where there’s enough capability for excess water to seep through the roots and out of the container, or perhaps we’ve simply left the water on too long.
Either way, a drunken root is never a healthy root. Watering needs balance. Too little and your plant will dry out and may not survive; too much, and your plant may become oversaturated and not survive. That being said, correct plant watering is crucial to a healthy plant root.
Winter
Succulents are desert plants. They are suited for dry or arid climates. They don’t need a lot of water, which makes them excellent plants in the summertime when temperatures rise and plants can quickly dry out. But succulents don’t like the cold. Frost in the winter and cold temperatures in general can cause root rot to develop quickly in succulents.
How to Spot a Root Rot
Knowing what root rot looks like is essential. The problem is, even seasoned gardeners can’t always spot root rot until it is in an advanced stage. That is because the roots of the plant are not visible. They live at the bottom of the plant, which is often underground or encased deep within the planting pot. The good news is there are a few ways you can spot root rot before you even remove the plant from its soil.
Here is what to look for, from top to bottom, when assessing whether your succulent plant has root rot damage:
- The most common sign of root rot is when the succulent leaves look yellowish or paler than usual, which is a sign of advanced root rot. Since root rot begins from the bottom up, you’ve got a problem if you see it on the leaves.
- Does your plant have wilting stems? Root rot weakens the plant’s structure, so a weepy succulent often signals an unhealthy succulent. When you see wilting stems, you’ll likely want to pull the plant out of its pot or soil to take a closer look at the roots.
- Are the roots of the plant dark brown or black? You’ll need to remove the plant from its container to spot this. Dark or black roots indicate oversaturation and rotting roots.
- If you’re a bit uncertain if your plant has root rot by the roots’ color alone, feel the roots to see if they are slimy. Root rot breaks down the roots, making them squishy to the touch.
If you need a little help deciphering if your succulent is suffering from root rot and wondering what root rot looks like, here’s a picture that demonstrates what a healthy root looks like when it becomes black due to rotting:
Link: https://www.sublimesucculents.com/root-rot-succulents/
For even more help identifying what root rot looks like in a succulent plant, take a look at the video below.
How to Treat Potential Root Rot
You might not always be able to prevent root rot, but acting quickly when you spot or suspect it can save the life of your plant. Here are a few steps to take right away if you see your plant leaves changing colors or realize your plant roots are rotted:
Remove the Plant
Taking the plant out of the damp environment is the first step to quickly remedying root rot as It allows you to assess how deeply the roots appear to be infected.
Remove the plant from the ground or from its planting container carefully to avoid further damaging the fragile roots.
Trim Damaged Ends
If your plant’s leaves haven’t turned yellow, and if the stems aren’t yet wilting, you may be able to simply wash your roots by using a cotton swab to dab on a mix of water and dish detergent before drying out the plant to let the roots regenerate. If, however, your roots are brown and slimy, you’ll need to give them a trim.
- Use your scissors or gardening shears to cut off the damaged roots from your succulent.
- Begin with a trim, and trim a few centimeters above where the damage ends. You won’t want to cut too much, but cutting too little might not fix the problem if the damage is spreading rapidly.
If your plant has severe root rot, cutting off the bulbs may be the only way to save it. There is no guarantee, but in extreme circumstances, it might be worth a try.
Cut the stems about two inches above where the rotting ends and replant. You will want to wait a few days before watering.
Let the Sunshine In
Let the roots harden up and dry before you replant. Replanting right away could revive the rotting problem and leave you having to repeat the process, or even worse, with a plant that won’t survive another root rot.
Replant in a New Pot
The old potting soil has to go. To replant your succulent, make sure you use fresh soil that drains well. Let the soil dry out for approximately two weeks before watering.
Planting Tips to Avoid Root Rot
Avoiding root rot starts with buying a plant with healthy roots. If you inherit a plant that is already rotting, you’re already a step behind. Be sure to do your due diligence when buying a plant to ensure the plant you’re buying is healthy.
Pot
Where you plant your succulent matters, a potting plant might look pretty, but it might not be as functional as you need it. When choosing a planting pot, make sure you choose one that allows for plenty of water drainage. That will help ensure the water flows through the soil, so the roots don’t become oversaturated. Oversaturation can quickly lead to root rot.
If you need a great succulent planter, here’s a recommendation. These Succulent Pots with Bamboo Trays allow for draining that will keep your succulents looking beautiful on the outside and beneath the surface.
An alternative is to use a clay pot. Clay pots provide an excellent natural breathing space for your succulents, which can help prevent over moisturization and prevent root rot.
Soil
Soil isn’t a one size fits all purchase. Different soils function better for different plants. For your succulents to thrive and maintain healthy roots, it’s important to choose a planting soil that allows water to move through the soil and drain out the bottom of the planting container. This keeps roots from becoming too wet and rotting.
Water
A wet succulent is an unhappy succulent. Water your plants sparingly. Remember that desert plants need far less liquid to survive than tropical plants. Start light, and don’t oversaturate. A damp soil is much more effective than soggy soil for your succulent plant.
If you’re new to gardening and succulents and would like to see how to plant a succulent from start to finish, check out this helpful video, which walks you through the steps:
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypxTPO8wPqM
How to Maintain Healthy Roots and Avoid Root Rot
So you’ve planted your succulent. You’ve chosen a planting vessel that has excellent drainage capability. You’ve used soil that allows water to flow freely through the plant and out of the planter’s drainage compartment. Now what?
How do you maintain the healthy roots you’ve already worked so hard to establish? Try these tips to maintain healthy roots and avoid root rot:
- Change up your watering schedule. Remember that succulents need even less water in the winter months than in the summer months. When in doubt about how much you should water, remember that it’s okay and even preferred to let your soil dry out before watering.
- Give your succulents a little winter-time TLC. Everyone needs a bit of tender loving care every now and then, and succulent plans are no exception. When frost and cold temperatures can quickly turn a healthy root into a rotted root in the winter months, consider bringing your succulents inside and place them on a windowsill facing the brightest light from outdoors.
Tip: Succulents make excellent indoor plants and are especially popular in dorm rooms. To help them thrive, here’s a video showing you how to best care for your indoor succulent plant. As a bonus, it also helps you identify and choose the best succulents for an indoor planting environment:
Can You Revive a Succulent With Root Rot?
Although prevention is the best “medicine” of all for a succulent to avoid root rot, it happens more frequently than we’d like. The question is, can you revive a succulent once it has become infected with root rot? The answer is “yes,” but here are a few tips:
Act Quickly
The sooner you catch the root rot, the sooner you can begin plant CPR and try to fix the problem. The longer you wait, the more likely the plant is to become deeply infected, seeping up the plant’s stem and even into the leaves.
Thoroughly Fix the Problem
This isn’t the time to skip any steps. When you diagnose root rot, you’ll need to make sure you thoroughly follow the steps outlined above. Be sure first to assess what you’re reviving.
- Are the roots alone infected?
- Has the rot spread to the stem or the leaves?
Then revive your succulent by trimming off the damage and replanting.
Be Diligent
Make sure your pot and soil allow for proper water drainage. Be sure to avoid overwatering or exposure to extremely cold temperatures in the future. Once you’ve revived your plant, maintenance is the key to long term survival.
If you’re a visual person like me, it might help you see some of these steps in action. This video will help you identify and revive a succulent with root rot:
Succulents vs. Other Plants
The great news about succulents vs. other plants is that, in general, they are heartier plants. They survive with less water and less care. Although root rot is common in succulents, as it is with most plants, it’s a bit easier to treat succulents than other types of plants given their lack of overall fragility. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be careful, but it does mean it’s a bit easier to handle the plants when trying to repair any root rot that does occur.
Bugs are a part of a plant’s life, and succulents are no exception. But plants are not a cause of root rot in succulents. And the great news is that they aren’t as big of a problem with succulents as they are with other plants.
The most common bugs associated with succulents are gnats and mealy bugs. As long as you don’t buy a plant already infested with bugs, and as long as you avoid overwatering your plant, bugs should not be a problem with your succulent plants.
Conclusion
Succulents are an excellent plant choice for novice gardeners who don’t yet know how to care for plants or busy gardeners who don’t have a lot of time to spend tending to their plants. Though root rot affects succulents like other plants, fixing it is a relatively easy process. Though no fix is guaranteed, with a little care and with a little luck, your succulents can live a long, healthy rooted life in your home or garden.
To summarize:
- Plant your succulents in pots with drainage holes.
- Use soil that allows for water to drain quickly to avoid oversaturation of plant roots.
- Water sparingly to avoid overwatering.
- When root rot is suspected, check for discoloration on the leaves and stem. Observe the roots, and if dark brown or black roots are seen, begin the repair.
- Clip off damaged roots and replant in dry soil.
- Move plants indoors in colder months.