Pensacola, FL Container Gardening Experts Explain How to Save a Houseplant with Root Rot

Some houseplants can be very challenging to recover from root rot, but don’t fret! There are many that can be saved. If you find yourself in a root rot rumple, try following these 10 steps from a Pensacola container gardening company that lead to a hopeful recovery:  

1. Gently take the affected plant out of its pot. Do your best to not disturb the roots by jostling them or handling them in a rough manner. At this point, the roots are in a more fragile state than usual.  

2. Next, you’ll want to remove the soil that surrounds the roots and inspect them, noting their color. They may be white, tan, dark brown, or black. If they are white or tan, that is a good sign because a dark brown or black color indicates root rot.  

3. Further inspect the roots by feeling them. There are two things you’ll want to pay attention to– how firm the roots are and how well they are attached to the base of the plant. If they are not firm, but are rather squishy, that indicates root rot. In addition, if they do not seem to be firmly attached to the base of the plant, that is also a sign of root rot.  

4. Now you must determine whether or not it is possible to save the plant. Pay attention to how much of the root structure is damaged. If at least half of it is still intact, then you will probably be able to save the plant.  

5. If you decide to go forward with saving your plant, the next step is to carefully rinse off the roots.  

6. Once the roots are clean, spray them with 3 to 6 percent hydrogen peroxide.  

7. At this point, the Pensacola residential landscaping experts suggest setting the plant in a pot, using potting soil that drains well and contains mycorrhizae. When you finish potting the plant, make sure that the section of the plant that the roots attach to is above the soil. You want this part of the plant to be exposed to the air, but the roots should be completely covered by soil.  

8. From there, simply water the houseplant until water leaks out of the drainage holes.  

9. When the top inch or two of the soil is dry, go ahead and water the plant again. If you are worried that the plant is still thirsty, then you can mist the leaves.  

10. This may be the toughest step– waiting. You will not be able to tell whether or not your plant is saved until you witness it growing healthily again. 

  

Hopefully, these tips are a help to you as you work to save your precious houseplant. Here’s to saying goodbye to root rot! 

Heroman Services is the leading Interior Landscaping firm along the Gulf Coast. We provide personalized designs, installations, horticultural service and maintenance programs for hundreds of prestigious clients across the South. 

Heroman Services Plant Company, LLC 

3601 N. Davis Hwy 

Pensacola, FL 32503 

(850) 936-6969 

www.heromanservices.com