From my perspective as a mint plant, the lush, green life you see above the soil is entirely dependent on the hidden world of my roots. Root rot is not a single disease but a consequence of an attack, primarily by soil-borne fungi from the *Pythium*, *Phytophthora*, and *Rhizoctonia* genera. These pathogens are always present, waiting for the right conditions to strike. The primary cause is not the fungus itself, but the environment you, the gardener, create for me. When I am forced to sit in waterlogged, poorly drained soil, the air pockets around my roots are flooded. My root cells, like all living cells, need to breathe. Deprived of oxygen, they begin to suffocate and die. This weakened, decaying tissue is the perfect feast for the opportunistic fungi, which then invade and rapidly spread, destroying my vital root system.
I cannot speak, so I communicate my distress through my appearance. The symptoms you see above the soil are a direct reflection of the catastrophe unfolding below. First, you will notice my leaves, once vibrant and perky, beginning to wilt. This is confusing because the soil feels wet. The reason is simple: the rotted roots can no longer absorb water, leaving me parched despite being surrounded by moisture. Next, my leaves will start to yellow, beginning with the older ones. This chlorosis occurs because the damaged roots cannot uptake essential nutrients. As the rot progresses, my stems will become soft, mushy, and dark at the base, losing their structural integrity. Ultimately, if you were to gently lift me from the soil, you would see the truth firsthand: my roots will be dark brown or black, slimy to the touch, and emit a foul, decaying odor. The healthy white or tan roots will be gone, replaced by a system that is no longer functional.
If you catch the problem early, there is hope for my survival. Immediate and decisive action is required. First, you must carefully remove me from the soggy soil. Gently wash my roots under lukewarm running water to remove the contaminated soil and get a clear view of the damage. With sterilized scissors or pruners, you must perform a delicate surgery. Please cut away all the soft, brown, and smelly roots. Be ruthless but careful; only healthy, firm, white roots should remain. After this pruning, it is beneficial to dip my remaining root system in a fungicide solution or a natural alternative like a hydrogen peroxide and water mix to kill any lingering spores.
My next home is critical. You must plant me in a clean pot with ample drainage holes, using a fresh, well-draining potting mix. Do not reuse the old, infected soil. When repotting, be gentle with my traumatized roots. After the procedure, you will need to prune back the top growth—my stems and leaves—by about one-third to one-half. This reduces the demand on my compromised root system, giving me a fighting chance to regenerate. Water me sparingly, only when the top inch of soil feels dry, and ensure I am placed in a location with good air circulation. My recovery will be slow, and I will need patience and careful observation as I work to re-establish a healthy root foundation.
