Yellow Leaves - Overwatering Root Rot on pothos
What's Happening
Overwatering in pothos is about frequency, not volume. When soil stays moist for 7+ days, anaerobic bacterial communities (dominated by Proteobacteria and Actinobacteriota) colonize roots, causing oxygen deprivation. The plant's fibrous adventitious roots—which cluster at pot bottom and perimeter—remain waterlogged while surface soil appears dry, creating a hidden root rot condition.
How to Fix It
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1. Check deep moisture: Insert wooden skewer to pot bottom—moisture at depth = delay watering
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2. Unpot gently: Inspect roots for black/mushy sections and sour odor
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3. Surgical trim: Cut ALL rotting roots with sterilized scissors until only firm white tissue remains
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4. H2O2 treatment: Soak remaining roots in 3% hydrogen peroxide solution (1:1 with water) for 20 minutes
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5. Repot in dry, chunky mix; water only after 1 week recovery
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6. Resume watering when soil is dry to 2-3 inches depth
What You'll Need
How to Prevent It
Water only when top 2-3 inches of soil are completely dry; use finger test or moisture meter at 80% pot depth; ensure pots have drainage holes; use chunky aroid mix (50% potting soil, 30% perlite, 20% bark); bottom-water only when necessary.
Related Problems
Go Deeper
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