root rot on Philodendron Congo
Quick answer
If your Philodendron Congo has root rot, the most likely cause is: Root rot in philodendrons develops when the potting mix stays damp for long periods because of poor drainage, compacted or sour soil, or simply watering more often than the plant can use, suffocating the fine feeder roots and turning them black and mushy so the whole plant can collapse.
Start here:
- 1. Repot the philodendron into a free-draining mix amended with perlite or coarse material, gently shaking old soil from the roots and cutting away any black, soft, or foul-smelling root sections with a clean knife before settling the plant into fresh medium.
- 2. Adjust the watering rhythm so the top inch or two of soil dries between waterings, empty any water left in the saucer after an hour, and place the pot where air can move freely around the foliage so the root zone never stays waterlogged.
Why Philodendron Congo gets root rot
philodendron congo
Root rot in philodendrons develops when the potting mix stays damp for long periods because of poor drainage, compacted or sour soil, or simply watering more often than the plant can use, suffocating the fine feeder roots and turning them black and mushy so the whole plant can collapse.
How to reverse root rot on Philodendron Congo
- 1
Repot the philodendron into a free-draining mix amended with perlite or coarse material, gently shaking old soil from the roots and cutting away any black, soft, or foul-smelling root sections with a clean knife before settling the plant into fresh medium.
- 2
Adjust the watering rhythm so the top inch or two of soil dries between waterings, empty any water left in the saucer after an hour, and place the pot where air can move freely around the foliage so the root zone never stays waterlogged.
Keep root rot off this Philodendron Congo
Use a well-draining aroid-style potting mix with perlite, choose pots with unobstructed drainage holes, water only when the top of the soil begins to dry, and keep the plant in average to warm temperatures so the soil dries at a healthy pace.