From our perspective as Pothos plants, root rot is a silent, suffocating crisis. It begins unseen beneath the soil, a betrayal by the very environment meant to sustain us. We cannot cry out in a way you easily hear, so we must communicate our distress through our leaves and stems. Understanding this from our point of view is key to saving us.
Our roots are our lifeline. They are not just anchors; they are intricate systems for absorbing water, oxygen, and nutrients. Healthy roots are firm and white or tan. Root rot occurs when fungi, like *Pythium* or *Phytophthora*, attack these vital structures. These pathogens thrive in conditions you create: soil that is constantly waterlogged. When you water us too generously or our pot lacks drainage, water fills the air pockets in the soil. Our roots, like you, need to breathe. Deprived of oxygen, they begin to drown, soften, and decay. The opportunistic fungi then invade the weakened tissue, accelerating the destruction. This cuts off our supply of water and nutrients, even as we sit in a swamp.
We will show you we are in trouble, but you must learn to read the signs. The most common and earliest signal is yellowing leaves. This is often mistaken for underwatering, but it is the opposite. Because the rotting roots cannot function, they cannot transport water to our leaves, causing them to yellow and wilt. The leaves may then turn brown and become mushy. Another clear sign is a general droopiness that does not improve after watering—in fact, it may worsen. If you gently tug on our stems near the soil, they may feel loose or detach easily because the roots anchoring them have disintegrated. The most definitive confirmation is a foul, musty odor emanating from the soil, the smell of our roots decaying.
If you suspect root rot, immediate action is our only hope. Please be gentle; we are already stressed.
First, you must carefully lift us from our pot. Gently shake and wash the soil away from our root ball under lukewarm running water. This will allow you to see the extent of the damage. Healthy roots are firm and resilient. Rotten roots will be dark brown or black, mushy, and may slough off easily. They will often smell bad.
Next, using sterilized scissors or pruning shears, you must cut away all the affected roots. This is a surgical procedure for our survival. It is crucial to remove every bit of soft, rotten material, leaving only the firm, healthy roots. After the surgery, please disinfect our remaining healthy roots by soaking them in a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution or a fungicide. This helps kill any lingering fungal spores.
Finally, you must provide us with a fresh start. Repot us into a clean pot with adequate drainage holes, using fresh, well-draining potting mix. Do not be tempted to use the old soil, as it is contaminated. Do not water us immediately after repotting. Our wounded roots need a few days to callous over in dry soil to prevent re-infection. Wait about a week before giving us a modest drink.
Prevention is always better than cure. The golden rule is to water us only when our soil is dry. Please stick your finger about two inches into the soil; if it feels dry, then we are ready for a drink. Ensure our pot has excellent drainage. Use a well-aerated potting mix, perhaps amended with perlite or orchid bark, to prevent compaction and allow our roots to breathe. Choose a pot that is only slightly larger than our root ball; an overly large pot holds excess moisture, creating the perfect environment for the rot to return.
