Step 1: Check if it's still alive
Gently scratch a stem with your fingernail. Green and moist underneath means it's alive. Then ease the plant out of its pot: healthy roots are firm and white or light tan. Brown, mushy, smelly roots are rotting. If every stem is brittle and every root is mushy, it's likely too late — but even a small healthy section can often be saved.
Step 2: Find the cause
- Soggy soil, mushy roots: overwatering and root rot.
- Bone-dry soil, crispy leaves: underwatering.
- Pale, stretched growth: not enough light.
- Bugs, webbing, sticky leaves: pests.
For more detail, use our plant diagnosis guide.
Step 3: Treat root rot (if you found it)
- Remove the plant and rinse away the old soil.
- Cut off every soft, dark root with clean scissors.
- Repot into fresh, well-draining potting mix in a pot with drainage holes.
- Water lightly and wait until the top of the soil dries before watering again.
Step 4: Rehydrate a dried-out plant
Set the pot in a bowl of water for 20–30 minutes so the soil soaks it up from below, then let it drain fully. Repeat whenever the top few centimeters of soil are dry.
Step 5: Prune and reduce stress
- Remove dead or fully yellow leaves and stems so energy goes to healthy growth.
- Place the plant in bright, indirect light — not harsh direct sun while it recovers.
- Hold off on fertilizer until you see new growth.
Step 6: Be patient
Recovery usually takes several weeks. New leaves are the sign it's working. Keep conditions steady and avoid overcorrecting with extra water or frequent moves.
Let PlantBetter help
PlantBetter helps you spot what went wrong and builds a recovery care plan with reminders, so your plant gets exactly what it needs while it bounces back.