From my perspective, my roots are drowning. The excess water has filled all the air pockets in the soil, and I cannot breathe. Oxygen is as vital to my roots as water is to my leaves. The first and most critical step is to stop the flooding. Gently lift me out of my waterlogged pot. You must handle my roots with care, as they are already stressed and vulnerable to damage. Assess the damage; healthy roots should be firm and whitish, while rotten ones will be mushy, brown, and likely have a foul smell.
This step is a delicate operation for my survival. Using clean, sharp scissors, carefully trim away any soft, brown, or blackened rotten roots. This feels drastic, but it is necessary. The decaying tissue will only spread disease and fungal infections to my remaining healthy parts. By removing them, you give my healthy, white roots a fighting chance to recover and eventually regrow. Be thorough but conservative, preserving every bit of healthy root structure I have left.
I cannot go back into the same old, soggy, and likely compacted soil. It is a toxic environment for me now. Please repot me into a clean container that has excellent drainage holes—this is non-negotiable. The new soil mix must be sharply draining; a cactus or succulent mix is ideal, or you can amend regular potting soil with plenty of perlite, coarse sand, or gravel. This new home will allow water to flow through freely, preventing it from pooling around my roots and ensuring I get the oxygen I desperately need.
After the repotting, I am in a fragile state. Do not water me immediately. My remaining roots need time to callous over any trimmed areas and to begin seeking out moisture in their new environment. Place me in a location with bright, indirect light. Direct, hot sun would be too much of a shock for me in my weakened state. Only when the top inch of the new soil feels completely dry to the touch should you consider offering a small, moderate drink of water. The goal is to provide moisture without suffocating me again.
My recovery will not be swift. I have experienced significant trauma. You will need to be patient and observant. Hold off on any fertilizer; my system is too delicate to handle nutrients right now, and it could burn my recovering roots. Focus on providing consistent, bright light and only watering when my soil is dry. Watch for signs of new growth—tiny green leaves are the ultimate signal that I am on the mend. This process may take several weeks, but with careful attention to my needs, I can return to being a thriving, aromatic herb.
