Plant guide:ðŸŒļ Orchid
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Roots

Crown Rot in Orchids

Commonly affects: Phalaenopsis spp. and other Orchidaceae (Orchid)

The centre of the plant (the crown, where leaves emerge) turns black, soft, and mushy, and can kill the entire plant if not caught early.

Potential Causes

  1. 1Water sitting in the crown after watering, especially in cooler conditions where it doesn't evaporate quickly
  2. 2Watering from overhead rather than at the base
  3. 3Poor air circulation preventing the crown from drying out

Solution Steps

  1. 1Always water at the base, avoiding the crown entirely, or tip the plant to drain any water that pools there
  2. 2If crown rot is caught very early, dab the affected area with hydrogen peroxide or cinnamon (a natural antifungal) to try to halt its spread
  3. 3Improve air circulation around the plant with a small fan
  4. 4Remove the plant if rot has progressed significantly, since crown rot is often fatal once advanced

Prevention Tip

Water in the morning so any moisture that reaches the crown has all day to evaporate, and always water at the base rather than from above.

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