From my perspective, the primary cause of my soft, mushy leaves is almost always an excess of water around my roots. My leaves are designed to be plump and firm, filled with stored water for dry periods. When my caretaker provides more water than I can use or store, or if my soil does not drain quickly enough, my roots become surrounded by water. This creates an anaerobic environment, suffocating my root system. Without healthy roots to take in oxygen and nutrients, my entire structure begins to fail. The stored water in my leaves has nowhere to go, and the cells become over-pressurized, rupture, and die, leading to that soft, mushy texture you feel. It is a sign of severe internal damage.
The constant moisture does not just suffocate me; it invites a deadly invasion. The soggy soil is a perfect breeding ground for fungal pathogens and bacteria. These organisms attack my compromised and suffocating roots, causing them to decay—a condition known as root rot. This rot prevents my roots from performing their vital function of absorbing water and nutrients, creating a cruel paradox: my leaves are mushy from too much water, but the rest of my body is now unable to drink. The rot can quickly spread from the roots up through the stem, turning it soft and brown or black. If this rot reaches the main stem, my chances of survival diminish significantly.
While overwatering is the most common assailant, other environmental factors can cause similar symptoms. If I am exposed to temperatures near or below freezing, the water within my cells can freeze. Ice crystals form, piercing and destroying the cell walls. When they thaw, the cellular structure collapses, resulting in soft, mushy, and often discolored leaves. This damage is usually localized to the parts of me that were coldest, like the outermost leaves. Physical damage, such as a bruise or a crack, can also break my cell walls. This breach leads to localized rot and mushiness as the inner tissues are exposed to air and begin to decay, much like a bruise on a piece of fruit.
To help me recover, you must address the root cause. First, stop watering me immediately. I need a period of complete drought. You must gently remove me from my pot to inspect my roots. Healthy roots are firm and white or light tan. Soft, dark brown, or black roots that fall apart easily must be carefully pruned away with a sterile tool. After this surgery, I need time to callous over my wounds in a warm, dry, shaded spot for several days. Then, please repot me into a fresh, gritty, fast-draining succulent mix and a pot with a drainage hole. Do not water me for at least a week to allow my traumatized roots to settle and to encourage new growth. Place me in bright, indirect light while I focus my energy on regenerating a healthy root system.
