How To Fix Root Rot Without Repotting

The most common method to fix root rot is repotting the plant. Of course, there are several steps involved in this process, but repotting brings a dry and fresh environment to the decaying roots. 

But is it possible to resolve this issue without repotting? Technically, you can fix the problem without moving the plant to another pot. However, root rot shouldn’t be widespread. If only a few roots are facing the problem, it’s possible to recover the plant.

Let’s find out more about this unique situation and some solutions in this guide. 

Fix Root Rot Without Repotting

Dry soil, sufficient sunlight, and ventilated space help recover the plant from root rot. These three elements are key to keeping the roots fresh and growing. 

So, let’s have a look at these remedies in more detail below. 

1. Place The Plant In A Sunny Spot

Sunlight helps dry out the excess water from the pot. 

It’s not a quick solution, as it will take a few days to remove most of the moisture content from the soil. But it does work! It’s effective in drying out the soil. 

For this purpose, you will have to find a spot in your room where the plant can get sufficient daylight in a day. However, don’t provide direct sunlight to it. It should get 4-6 hours of indirect sunlight. 

For outdoor plants, you don’t have to worry too much about the sunlight. These plants are accustomed to receiving direct sunlight. 

2. Stop Watering The Plant

There is no need to water the plant during this process. Since the plant is already facing overwatering and root rot, you will only make things difficult by watering it again. 

Resume watering the plant once you feel the soil has dried out. You can poke a finger in the soil to check the moisture levels. 

If it’s still moist after 3-4 days, do not water it again. Moreover, you should consider repotting the plant in this type of situation. Ideally, don’t wait longer to recover the plant on its own after 4-5 days. 

3. Keep The Plant In A Ventilated Place

Ventilation is important to maintain a dry environment around the plant. 

If you place this plant in a room with not much ventilation, it will be difficult for the plant to manage excess water. Since there is no ventilation, the soil won’t dry out quickly and the water will stay in the pot for longer than required. 

There are two ways you can address this issue. First, place the plant near a ceiling fan. It will help dry the soil quickly. 

If that’s not possible, you need to find a spot with natural ventilation. Keep it on the balcony or near a window. Both these methods are quite beneficial in reducing the excess moisture from the pot. 

4. Make Some Holes In The Pot

Overwatering is the primary cause of root rot, but you can prevent it by having some drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. 

Most pots have 1-2 drainage holes at the bottom. But if your pot doesn’t have one for removing excess water, you need to create at least a couple of them. It will allow excess water to leach out from the bottom easily and won’t cause wet soil issues in the pot. 

If you don’t know how to make holes in the pot, you may get it done by professionals. Take your pot to the nearest garden center, and I’m sure they will help with this task.

5. Add Dry Soil To The Pot

When the soil remains wet for a long, it can cause root rot in indoor plants. 

To tackle this issue, you will have to add a layer of dry soil to the pot. The dry soil will soak some moisture from the wet soil and help balance the moisture content in the pot. 

If your pot is completely packed with soil, extract the top layer carefully and replace it with dry soil. This is another way to remove excess moisture from the soil. 

You can also use dry organic materials to soak moisture from the soil. 

Overall, these are some of the ways through which you can control root rot in your potted plants. However, you may not be able to eradicate it using these steps, as you don’t get the opportunity to examine the roots. 

This is why repotting or transplanting is recommended to deal with this issue in potted plants. 

Why Shouldn’t You Fix Root Rot Without Repotting?

Repotting can be tiring, especially if the plant is too big. It also makes the room messy, and cleaning such a room is simply an additional task. 

That said, it’s the best resort to the repotting process. 

Here’s why – 

1. It allows you to examine the plant’s root system beforehand. 
2. You can prune the brown and dead roots from the plant. 
3. You can keep the plant outside for some time so that the roots dry out. 
4. The plant gets a fresh environment and nutrients from the soil. 
5. You can also replace the entire soil with new soil. 

These are the biggest advantages of repotting the plant while addressing the root rot issue. 

If you don’t repot the plant, everything depends on the guesswork. You will need to guess the possible condition of roots and decay. Furthermore, you will also have to think twice before watering the plant again. 

Due to this situation, the plant can suffer from more issues and may not survive for too long. 

How To Use Hydrogen Peroxide To Fix Root Rot

Hydrogen Peroxide is useful in controlling root rot caused by fungus and bacteria. It’s also easy to use on the affected plants. 

Here’s how to prepare this solution – 

1. Add 3% Hydrogen Peroxide to 2 parts of water. 
2. Mix the solution well.
3. Pour this solution into a spray bottle. 
4. Spray it on the roots and soil. 
5. Place the plant back in the pot. 

In a few days, the plant will recover from the root rot. If not, you may repeat the above process one more time. 

Hydrogen Peroxide is also beneficial in producing more oxygen in the soil, which promotes further root growth. However, do not use it directly on the roots. Dilute it with water before spraying it on the roots. 

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