Plant guide:ðŸŠī Succulent
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Roots

Root Rot in Succulents

Commonly affects: Various succulents (Crassulaceae, Aizoaceae, and others)

The plant wilts, feels loose in its pot, and shows blackened, mushy roots when checked, despite the soil appearing adequately or overly moist.

Potential Causes

  1. 1Overwatering combined with poorly-draining soil
  2. 2Pots without adequate drainage holes
  3. 3Cold, wet conditions slowing evaporation and prolonging root exposure to moisture

Solution Steps

  1. 1Remove the plant from its pot and trim away all rotten roots with a sterilised blade
  2. 2Let the plant dry out and callus for a few days before repotting
  3. 3Repot into a fast-draining succulent-specific mix with added grit or pumice
  4. 4Reduce watering frequency significantly going forward

Prevention Tip

Fast-draining soil with added grit or pumice, combined with pots that have real drainage holes, prevents the large majority of succulent root rot.

More Root Problems Problems

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Root Rot — Pythium & Phytophthora Infection — calathea plant care

Root Rot — Pythium & Phytophthora Infection

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Root-Knot Nematodes — Meloidogyne Galls — monstera plant care

Root-Knot Nematodes — Meloidogyne Galls

Compacted, Anaerobic Substrate — monstera plant care

Compacted, Anaerobic Substrate

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