If you learn about monstera root rot and healthy roots, you can identify when your plant has issues with its roots.
I have been a victim of losing 9 monstera plants within 6 months, but since then, I have learned how to take care of my roots the hard way.
I’m here to show you how to prevent it from happening to you.
This article will discuss the problem of root rot, signs, preventions, treatment, how to detect root rot, what to look for in potting soil, and many more.
Make sure to use our table of contents.
If you are also interested in reading about the common problems of Monstera, click here.
Monstera Healthy Root And What Should They Look Like
Root rot usually occurs on roots that are in the ground. The infection may move to the aerial roots, but by then, the disease worsens.
If you don’t know what Monstera Aerial Roots is all about and are interested in learning about it, click here to read about it.
You can judge what a healthy Monstera root should look like based on three factors: root color, root texture, and root odor.
The roots do not have chlorophyll, a pigment responsible for the green color of plants.
Hence, healthy monstera plants have brown roots and are slightly white at the tip, while Dark brown or black roots indicate infection.
The roots of healthy monstera plants are firm, thick, long, and rough to the touch.
Because of its vitality, the roots can go far into the ground for water and minerals.
Monstera roots are especially long and have been known to reach out of the pot. Infected roots often lose their shape and become slimy.
The roots of healthy plants give an aroma similar to that of the earth, a king of mud and dirt smell. Infected roots give off a smell of rot and sulfur.
What Is Root Rot?
Root rot is a group of fungal infections that describe a disease that affects the roots of Monstera.
Many fungi, including Armillaria mellea, Clitocybe tabescens, and Fusarium can cause it. A common disease is Rhizoctonia root rot.
Root decay can cause roots to deteriorate by absorbing nutrients or releasing chemicals to break them down.
Deterioration of the roots can cause weakening of the plant and, eventually, its death.
Monstera plants like Monstera delicious, also called Swiss cheese plant, are especially prone to rot.
Hence, knowing how to identify and treat root rot is essential.
How Does Monstera Root Rot Appear?
Monstera roots begin to get mushy, discolored, and musty smell when they are affected by root rot.
The black, mushy, and foul-smelling roots of monstera root rot are visibly identifiable.
To determine whether a root is rotting, you may do a quick tactile test by pressing the roots between your index and thumb fingers.
When you press the root, it is solid and not squishy; it is probably healthy. However, it may indicate root rot if it is mushy and squishy.
Treating the roots immediately if you see any indications of root rot is advised, as this might create further problems.
To learn how to prune a monstera root, click here.[like]
What Are The Signs Of Monstera Root Rot
Plants infected with root fungi emit specific signals that make it easier to diagnose the problem.
Monstera root rot signs can be divided into early warning signs and advanced signs.
Some people find it difficult to notice the early warning signs, but the plant can be treated successfully at that stage.
Signs of advancement are easier to notice because they indicate that the root rot infection has greatly increased. At that stage, the Monstera is less likely to be saved.
Yellowish Leaves With Black Spots Are Signs Of Monstera Root Rot.
Suppose your Monstera is infected with root rot. In that case, you will notice some yellowing leaves, and you should check the root system and Soil for rot or overwatering.
The leaves of a healthy Monstera are green, and yellow leaves are a sign of stress.
Additionally, black spots will begin to appear on the affected leaves, indicating that Monstera root rot has spread to the stem and leaves of the plant.
The appearance of blackheads is an advanced warning sign indicating later stages of the disease.
To learn more about how to cure Monstera from yellowing leaf issues, click here.
Bad Smell Is A Sign Of Monstera Root Rot.
Root rot in Monstera is caused by a fungus that causes the roots to decay. Rotten roots give off a strong sulfur or decay odor, a clear indicator of root rot.
A bad smell is an early warning sign; You can still treat the plant.
Withered Leaves Are Signs Of Monstera Root Rot
Monstera leaves wilt when they do not receive enough water. Wilting is a defense mechanism of plants to reduce water loss.
This action can be caused by lack of water, overfeeding (too much organic matter), or the roots not absorbing water due to damage.
Wilted leaves are a later sign of the early stages of root rot, indicating that the damage caused by decay is significant.
Damaged roots are one of the biggest fungal root rot problems.
For more information: click Here to know why a Monstera leaf is dropping water. [Link]
Discoloration Of The Roots Is A Sign Of Monstera Root Rot.
As mentioned above, the roots of healthy plants tend to be brown or whitish.
The soft, rotten roots are black or dark brown. To check the roots’ color, you must dig the roots out of the ground.
Discolored roots are an early warning sign that can be treated by cutting off infected parts to prevent spread.
This signal means the root system is no longer viable, and the plant’s roots are dead.
To learn how to report a monstera plant, click here.š
Thinned And Darkened Stems Are Signs Of Monstera Root Rot
Stem rot is one of the signs of root rot. Monstera stems are usually thick and light green.
However, fungal diseases that have progressed to more advanced root rot can cause stems to thin.
A clear sign of the fungus spread is when the stem becomes soft and blackens.
The decaying stem cannot move food throughout the plant, and water no longer flows naturally, causing the plant to die.
If you notice that the stems are thinning and have begun to decay, your Monstera cannot be saved.
What Causes Root Rot In Monstera?
As mentioned above, Monstera root rot is caused by a fungal infection. However, these diseases do not occur by coincidence.
However, several factors influence the onset of Monstera root rot, mainly the fungus and overwatering of the plants.
Fungus Causes Root Rot In Monstera?
Fungi are a group of parasitic and saprophytic microorganisms that feed on living and dead material.
These microorganisms may already live in the potting mix or pot you use for your Monstera.
In this case, they grow and spread after meeting some requirements, mainly temperature and water, causing root rot.
These fungi can also enter Monstera soil through their spores. These spores travel through the air until they find a suitable host, which in this case is Monstera root rot.
Therefore, your Monstera root rot increases if another plant in your home is infected.
Excessive Watering
Overwatering is the second main reason for root rot. Overwatering Monstera can occur in more ways than simply watering it frequently or overwatering.
To avoid watering the Monstera plant more than necessary, touch the top few inches of Soil to check soil moisture; if it feels dry, water the Monstera.
Generally, overwatering the plant once does not cause it to rot immediately, but it does occur over a few days.
Another reason for overwatering may be poor drainage. Placing the Monstera in a pot with a drainage hole in the bottom would be best, allowing water to filter and not pool.
A proper drainage system is essential for Monstera’s growth.
Also, be sure to use well-aerated Soil. Normal garden soil retains excess moisture, and wet Soil is unsuitable for Monstera.
To avoid a soggy soil mixture, you can make more drainage holes in the pot.
Some houseplant owners tend to add stones to the bottom of the potting soil to increase drainage.
However, contrary to that belief, rocks at the bottom of the pot cause less drainage.
Drainage in the pot only occurs when the bottom is soaked, which can take time as the Soil above absorbs water.
Placing stones in the bottom of the pot only raises the Soil, making it take longer for water to reach the drainage holes.
A pot that is too large can also cause water to stagnate because the pot leaves many patches of Soil where the Monstera’s roots cannot reach.
Hence, water remains in these patches, providing perfect conditions for the growth of the fungus.
Another reason for overwatering is, ironically, underwatering. When the plant is not watered as much, Monstera roots adapt and shrink, creating more rootless patches in the Soil.
Ultimately, watering the plant with the same amounts is usually more than necessary.
Temperature is another factor that causes you to overwater your Monstera plant.
At lower temperatures, plant growth slows, and it does not consume as much water and nutrients as it needs during its growth periods.
This results in water and nutrients remaining in the Soil.
Click here to learn how to water a monstera properly.
How To Treat Monstera Root Rot
First, you should try to prevent root rot as best you can. If Monsteras roots are infected, there are specific ways to treat them.
Remove all Soil and, using pruning shears, cut away any dead or blackened roots beyond salvage and focus on the remaining roots. Finally, treat the infected parts.
You can use cuttings from healthy stems to grow a new plant by propagating in Soil.
You can disinfect the roots with different chemicals, which are natural fungicides.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is an industrial disinfectant widely used to sterilize equipment and areas.
Add a tablespoon of three percent peroxide to a cup of water and use it directly on the roots.
The fungi that cause root infections are anaerobic, meaning they grow well without oxygen.
Hydrogen peroxide has additional oxygen molecules that imbalance the anaerobic soil environment.
Apple Cider Vinegar
To treat root rot, mix water with apple cider vinegar and spray it on affected plant parts and as much soil as possible.
What Are The Soil Recommendations For Monstera To Prevent Root Rot
Using well-aerated Soil with adequate drainage characteristics is the best way to prevent rot.
Generally, coco coir or peat soil works best as it has good water retention capacity without causing infection, resulting in a healthy root system for your plant.
Can I Reuse A Soil When Repotting Monstera
Not. Even after treating the Soil, there is no guarantee that fungal spores do not exist in the infected Soil, making its reuse extremely risky. Always use a fresh soil mix.
Can I Treat Root Rot?
The success of treatments depends on the intensity of the infection. But if the entire route system has been damaged, throwing away the entire plant is better than saving it.
Conclusion: Monstera Root Rot And Healthy Root
Now you know the difference between Monsters root rot and the healthy roots of a monstera.
It is important to take immediate action when you notice any sign of root rot mentioned above because root rot is a dangerous disease a house plan faces.
Remember to water a monstera properly and avoid keeping them in dam soil.
