Pothos Root Rot – Signs and How to fix it?

Pothos is a hardy houseplant widely kept by house plant enthusiasts. It is known for its tolerance and adaptability. However, sometimes, you may see that your pothos is starting to become weak . One of the reasons could be root rot. So, let us explore more about root rot and how to fix it.

Root rot is a bacterial or fungal infection that renders the root unable to absorb the required nutrients and water for the plant. Prolonged root rot can have severe effects on your plant and may also kill it eventually.

So, let us explore more about root rot in your pothos.

Pothos Root Rot

Root rot is an infection in your pothos that causes the roots of your plant to start rotting. It may lead to several problems such as starvation, wilting and weakened plants. It can happen due to various reasons, such as overwatering and bacterial or fungal infections. The roots start to turn brown and eventually black. If steps are not taken to curb the rotting, it may cause severe damage to the health of the plant.

Signs

One of the ways to identify root rot is by checking the roots. Rotten roots are generally deep brown, and if they turn black, it means they are dead.

Another sign may be the browning or wilting of the leaves, and it means the problem is soil-borne.

However, if the leaves turn mushy and yellow, the rotting is likely caused by the overwatering of the plant. It may also happen due to stagnant water left behind in the pot due to a lack of proper drainage.

Overwatering

Pothos is highly susceptible to root rot if the plant is overwatered. It happens if the plant is watered too frequently.

Try fixing a watering schedule to ensure that the watering is regulated and only water when the soil is dry.

Overwatering causes stagnation which leads to root rot. Stagnation may also happen due to a lack of drainage holes in the pot. Always use a pot with proper drainage holes to prevent stagnation.

Soil Borne Disease

Another reason may be soil-borne diseases which can cause fungal or pathogenic infections. It usually happens when infected soil is used in potting the plant.

There are different types of soil-borne pathogens such as Pythium, Phytophthora, and Rhizoctonia rot. They may harm the plant if left unchecked. To avoid this, always use fresh, sterile soil while potting your pothos.

Solution

If your pothos is already infected, carefully pull out the plant from the soil. Use a sterile pair of scissors to cut off the affected parts which have started to turn black or squishy. Immediately spray with an effective fungicide to control the spread. Once the infection has been controlled, repot the plant in fresh, sterile soil to minimize the chances of reinfection.

Thus, these are the steps to help fix root rot in your pothos.

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