How to Fix Root Rot (Step-by-Step)

🚨 Step 1: Confirm it’s actually root rot

Before doing anything, check for these signs:

  • Soil stays wet for days after watering
  • Leaves turning yellow or drooping
  • Plant looks “overwatered” even when you water less
  • Musty or sour smell from the pot

👉 If you’re unsure, gently remove the plant and check roots:

  • Healthy roots = firm, white/light coloured
  • Rotten roots = brown/black, soft, mushy

✂️ Step 2: Remove the plant and clean the roots

  • Take the plant out of the pot
  • Gently shake off all old soil
  • Rinse roots under lukewarm water

👉 You want to clearly see what’s healthy vs rotten

🧼 Step 3: Cut away ALL rotted roots

  • Use clean scissors or secateurs
  • Remove anything:
    • Mushy
    • Dark
    • Slimy

👉 Be ruthless here - leaving rot behind = it spreads

 

âś… Step 4: Repot into RootStart mix

This is the most important step.

What you need:

  • A pot with drainage holes
  • A moisture retentive, bacteria free, well-aerated mix during the recovery phase
  • Not dense soil!

👉 The goal:

  • Water flows through evenly
  • Roots can breathe
  • Mix dries at a controlled rate

đź’§ Step 5: Water correctly after repotting

  • Lightly water once after repotting
  • lightly misting the potting mix and feeling its weight before and after is a great way to control watering volume
  • Then wait until the mix starts to dry before watering again

👉 Don’t keep it constantly wet - that’s what caused the issue

🌱 Step 6: Recovery phase (important)

After repotting:

  • Keep plant in bright, indirect light
  • Avoid fertiliser for 1 week, use a diluted solution after the first week
  • Expect slower growth while it recovers

👉 You’re rebuilding the root system

âť— Common mistakes to avoid

❌ Reusing old, wet soil

❌ Not removing all rotten roots

❌ Using dense potting mix again

❌ Watering too frequently after repotting

đź’ˇ Key takeaway

Root rot isn’t just a watering issue - it’s an environmental, watering cycle and substrate problem.

If the plant:

  • Holds too much water
  • Lacks airflow
  • is watered too heavily, too often
  • the fertiliser quantity isn't in check

…it will keep happening.

 

 

Checkout RootStart here: https://higrow.com.au/products/higrow-rootstart

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