Pothos is a striking ornamental plant that belongs to the arum family. This vining shrub often suffers from a common issue of root rot. Root rot initially occurs due to fungal infestation in the roots.
In short: The reason for root rot in your pothos is not enough room to breathe. Too soggy soil and fungal attack could lead to root rot. With signs like yellowing or browning leaves, wilting and drooping, you could take the plant out and check for roots.
If pothos roots are soft, mushy, black, or dark brown you can clean the plant and trim the unhealthy roots, and give a hydrogen peroxide wash ( 3% hydrogen peroxide:4 cups water ratio). Now repot your plant in a fresh potting mix and water just to make the soil moist enough.
A pothos plant could be incorporated with this root rot problem in any condition, whether it grows indoors or outdoors. If you don’t treat this issue earlier, roots couldn’t provide adequate water, oxygen, or essential nutrients to the plant.
Consequently, your plant will die within some months. So, it is important to identify and take steps to prevent the root rot in a pothos plant courteously. Here are some useful tips, you should consider in this regard-
Identification of Root Rot in Pothos:
Once your pothos plant gets root rot, it will start giving some apparent signs. You must be capable of recognizing those symptoms efficiently to be sure about the problem and take proper remedies. Some clear signs of root rot in a pothos plant, are-
- Leaves will turn yellow or brown
- As in leaf discoloration
- Leaves falling off
- Roots will turn soft
- Damp soil &
- Apparent fungus mold over the soil surface
- Delayed or stunted growth
- The color of the roots will turn completely brown
- And bad or rotten odor will come out from roots as well as the soil
What Are The Causes of Root Rot in Pothos?
To treat and cure the root rot of the pothos plant, you must find out the real causes behind this problem. Some common causes of root rot in pothos plant, are as follows-
Improper Watering Methods:
One of the main causes of root rot in any plant is improper watering methods, including pothos. If you water your plant excessively more than its actual requirements, it will soon hit root rot in the plant. Watering your plant during the dormancy period like winter or early autumn also brings the effects of overwatering to your pothos plant.
Also read: How to grow pothos healthy and faster.
Poor Drainage System:
Not only overwatering but poor or improper drainage quality of the soil also lead to root rot in your pothos plant unavoidably. If the soil has bad draining quality, it can’t drain the excess water after watering. That extra water will stick in the soil and dampen the root, initiating root rot shortly.
Unsuitable Planter:
If you are growing pothos indoors, try to pick the planter very attentively. Any kind of extra big or extra small pot can cause root rot in your plant within a few days. The root system of a pothos couldn’t stand root-bound or suffocated roots anyhow. So, always make sure your chosen planter is properly adjustable with the root size of your pothos plant.
Low Temperature:
Pothos plants prefer a moderately warm temperature that must be between 60° to 85° F. If you can’t provide your plant with such a warm temperature, it will start having root issues momentarily. The low temperature can’t soak the soil enough and let it stay wet for an unexpectedly long period. This wet growing medium initiates rotten rot in your pothos plant soon.
Fertilization Issues:
Feeding your growing plant is not a bad idea but try not to overdo it unnecessarily. Pothos is not a high feeder plant and thus, needs only a moderate amount of plant food to thrive. But its roots will begin to shrivel due to overfertilization. Excessive fertilization causes salt buildup in the roots, which turns into rotten roots later.
Untreated Fungal Infestation:
If you ever notice any kind of fungal infestation on the soil or mold over the soil surface, try to treat it as earlier as possible. Untreated fungal mold on the soil often ends up with rotten rot in a pothos plant. That’s why we always suggest using only fresh and uninfected soil for the plantation.
Previously Infected Roots:
If you plant a pothos plant with damaged roots or already infested roots, it will surely have the root rot issue in the near future. So, be careful when you replant a pothos plant from one plant to another. If you hurt or damage any root part or find any unhealthy root during the process, try to cut it off right away, to avoid the root rot issue in your plant ever.
How to Treat Root Rot in Pothos
Some best ways to treat and save your rotted root pothos from dying are-
- Drag out your pothos from the current planter to validate and be certain how much rot happens to the roots.
- Clean the soil and loosen the roots carefully without hurting any section of the delicate root ball.
- Repot it in a new planter in a proper size planter with a whole new set of potting soil. Make sure the growing medium has a well-drained quality and the planter has perfect drainage holes.
- Water the soil thoroughly to dampen the dry soil and check the drainage system of the soil as well as the planter apparently.
- Put the plant in a spot under the sun with partial to full shade to provide your plant with a moderately warm but high-humid condition.
- Trim and propagate your plant in time before your pothos plant turns over bushy or unmanageable to handle properly. Over bushy plant sometimes suffocates the roots and causes root rot in your plant eventually.
- And maintain a consistent replantation schedule every 12 to 18 months just to give your plant a fresh growing medium every few whiles. This will not only allow the roots of your pothos plant to live longer and also survive vigorously.
How to fix and prevent root rot- How to use hydrogen peroxide and propagate Youtube
How to Prevent Root Rot in Pothos:
After reviving your dying plant from the fatal grasp of root rot, try to take some smart ingenuities to keep your plant safe from any rotting problems. Some smart hacks to keep the roots of your pothos plants eternally healthy are-
- Never overwater your pothos ever to avoid waterlogged roots. Let the soil completely dry between watering
- Pick a planter with properly working drainage holes to keep the draining system performing perfectly
- Choose a well-drained potting mix to plant pothos with a balanced mix of peat moss, vermiculite, shredded bark, and perlite
- Apply a harmless fungicide spray on the soil during the time of plantation to keep the growing media fungus free
- Keep the plant in a spot under the sun with a partial shade that can provide adequate warm temperature and high humidity to provide the best growing climate
- Feed your pothos accordingly but not excessively. Apply any water-soluble balanced fertilizer once every 2-3 weeks during normal seasons and avoid the fertilization during winter days
- And keep a close eye on your pothos plant to identify the tiniest root issue in your plant at the earliest stage.
FAQ: Can You Reverse Root Rot in Pothos?
As we mentioned in our above discussion, root rot is curable or reversible in pothos efferently. Only wish that you can identify and apply the solutions as early as you can. Taking rapid action in curing methods of root rot will reward your pothos with healthy growth for sure.
How Long Will It Take To Heal Root Rot in Pothos?
If you recognize the signs of root rot in your pothos plant and apply the remedy soon, it can take almost 1-2 weeks to heal and revive its healthiest form again.