Why does my Pothos have root rot?

Pothos get root rot almost always from overwatering and soggy soil. When the soil stays wet the roots are starved of oxygen, begin to suffocate, and fungi move in to rot the weakened tissue. Poor drainage, an oversized pot, dense soil, and cold conditions all keep the soil wet and make rot more likely. Stop watering, unpot the plant, and trim the rotten roots right away.

Most likely cause

Overwatering is the overwhelming cause of Pothos root rot. Pothos are climbing aroids adapted to soil that dries out between rains, so roots left sitting in constantly wet soil cannot get the oxygen they need. Deprived of air, they weaken and die, and opportunistic fungi turn them brown and mushy.

You can confirm it by unpotting and inspecting the roots. Rotted roots are brown to black, soft, and smell sour, while healthy roots are firm and white. Above the soil you will see yellowing leaves, soft brown spots, and wilting even though the soil is wet, which is the giveaway that the problem is the roots and not thirst. Cutting away the dead roots and repotting into dry, airy mix usually stops the spread.

Other causes

These all contribute by keeping the soil wet for too long.

Poor drainage. A pot with no holes or a saucer left full traps water; the bottom of the rootball stays soggy long after the top dries.
An oversized pot. Too much soil around a small rootball holds water the roots cannot use; the soil takes many days to dry out.
Dense, heavy soil. Compacted or peat-heavy mix stays saturated; water pools on top and drains slowly.
Cold temperatures. Below about 60 degrees the plant uses little water; soil stays wet far longer and roots chill and rot.

How to fix it

Stop watering. Hold off completely until you have inspected and treated the roots.
Unpot and inspect. Slide the plant out and gently rinse the rootball so you can see which roots are firm and white versus soft and brown.
Trim the rot. With clean, sharp scissors, cut away every soft, dark, mushy root back to healthy tissue.
Repot in fresh mix. Use a chunky, well-draining aroid mix in a clean pot with drainage holes, sized to the trimmed rootball.
Water sparingly at first. Give a modest drink, then wait until the top inch or two is dry before watering again.
Improve the conditions. Keep the plant in bright indirect light and warmth above 60 degrees, and never leave it in a full saucer.
Save cuttings as backup. If the roots are far gone, root a few healthy vine cuttings with nodes in water or fresh mix.

Cause	Tell-tale sign	Fix
Overwatering	Mushy brown roots, wilt in wet soil	Stop watering, trim roots, repot
Poor drainage	Soggy base, full saucer	Use pot with holes, empty saucer
Oversized pot	Soil stays wet for days	Repot into snugly sized pot
Dense soil	Water pools, drains slowly	Switch to chunky, airy mix
Cold temperatures	Wet soil, slow growth	Keep above 60 degrees, water less

Frequently asked questions

Can a Pothos recover from root rot?

Often, yes, if you catch it before the rot reaches the stems. Unpot the plant, cut away all soft brown roots, and repot the healthy white roots into fresh, well-draining mix. Pothos root readily, so even a badly affected plant can regrow from a few firm roots or healthy cuttings.

What does Pothos root rot look like?

Rotted roots are brown or black, soft, and mushy, and they often smell sour or musty. Healthy Pothos roots are firm and white to pale tan. Above the soil you will usually see yellowing leaves, soft brown spots, wilting despite wet soil, and slowed growth.

Should I repot a Pothos with root rot?

Yes. Repotting is the core of the fix. Remove the plant from the wet soil, trim every soft, dark root, rinse the rootball, and replant in fresh, airy mix in a clean pot with drainage holes. Leaving it in the old soggy soil lets the rot spread.

How do I prevent Pothos root rot?

Water only when the top inch or two of soil is dry, use a pot with drainage holes, and never leave the plant sitting in a full saucer. A chunky, well-draining mix and a pot sized to the rootball keep the roots oxygenated and rot-free.

Can I save a Pothos if all the roots are rotted?

Sometimes, through cuttings. If the roots are gone but the vines are still firm and green, cut healthy stem sections with a few nodes and root them in water or fresh mix. The original rootball is lost, but Pothos propagate easily, so the plant lives on.

Does Pothos root rot spread to the leaves?

Yes, indirectly. As the roots fail they can no longer feed the leaves, so foliage yellows, develops soft brown patches, and wilts. Severe rot can travel up into the stem base, turning it mushy, which is why fast trimming and repotting matter.