Root rot is often warned about in houseplant care guides, and for good reason. It's a problem that commonly occurs, and can kill plants if not addressed quickly.
The issue develops when indoor plants are growing in overly wet conditions. The fungal or bacterial pathogens that cause root rot thrive in saturated soil, explains Kiersten Rankel from Greg, a houseplant-care app. These pathogens infect the plants' roots, and can then colonize and cause the root tissue to die. This cuts off the plants' water and nutrient supply, she says.
