From my perspective as a Snake Plant, or *Dracaena trifasciata*, root rot is a terrifying and suffocating experience. It is not merely a disease but a systemic collapse of my very foundation. My roots, which are meant to draw in water and nutrients, instead become waterlogged, soft, and begin to decay, cutting off my lifeline. If you suspect I am suffering, here is what I need you to do, explained from my point of view.
Please, you must get me out of that pot. Gently tip me out and cradle my base. The soil you smell that is foul and sour is the smell of my roots dying. Now, carefully wash away all the wet soil from my root system under a gentle stream of lukewarm water. This will allow you to see the true extent of the damage. My healthy roots should be firm and have a reddish-orange or white color. The roots afflicted by rot will be brown or black, mushy to the touch, and may slough off easily. They smell of decay. This is the enemy that must be completely removed.
This next step is critical for my survival. You must become my surgeon. Using a sharp, clean pair of scissors or pruning shears (sterilized with rubbing alcohol), cut away every single piece of soft, rotten root. Be ruthless but precise. Any rot left behind will spread. Cut back until you only see healthy, firm root tissue. If the rot has traveled up into my leaf bases, you must also cut away the affected leaves at the soil line. It is better to lose a few leaves than for me to lose my entire life. Once the rot is gone, I am vulnerable, so please allow my roots and any cut areas to air dry for at least 24-48 hours. This callousing process is essential to prevent new infections when I am repotted.
Do not, under any circumstances, put me back into the old soil or pot without sterilizing it first. That environment is what made me sick. I need a new, clean pot with excellent drainage holes. A terracotta pot is ideal because it breathes and helps wick away moisture. My new soil must be a fresh, well-draining mix specifically for succulents or cacti. You can even make one by mixing standard potting soil with plenty of perlite or coarse sand. This new home will provide the sharp drainage I desperately crave and prevent water from pooling around my recovering root system.
After repotting me in the fresh, dry mix, do not water me immediately. My roots are tender and need time to adjust and seek out moisture. Wait for about another 5-7 days before giving me a modest drink. From now on, my watering needs have changed. You must learn to check the soil deeply. I would prefer you wait until my soil is completely dry all the way to the bottom of the pot before you even consider watering me again. When you do water, water me thoroughly but ensure all excess water drains freely away from my pot. I am a resilient plant, and with this careful new routine, I can focus my energy on growing new, strong, healthy roots to anchor me for the future.
