Crown Rot: Urgent! How to Save Your Plant
Crown rot is a serious fungal disease that attacks the crown (base) of the plant where the stem meets the soil. It is caused by various fungal pathogens including Phytophthora, Fusarium, and Rhizoctonia. The disease thrives in waterlogged conditions and can quickly spread to kill the entire plant if not addressed promptly.
Medium
21 days
🔍 Symptoms
Main Symptoms
- ! Browning or blackening tissue at stem base
- ! Soft, mushy crown that feels spongy to touch
- ! Wilting leaves, especially during midday heat
- ! Yellowing of lower leaves that drop prematurely
- ! Stunted or slowed growth
- ! Dark brown lesion girdling the main stem just above soil line
- ! Entire plant may collapse suddenly
Visual Signs
❓ Possible Causes
- → Overwatering or poor drainage
- → Planting too deep (crown below soil level)
- → Heavy, compacted soil that retains water
- → Physical damage to crown from tools or handling
- → Contaminated soil or reused potting mix
- → Poor air circulation around plant base
- → Low soil pH (below 6.0) favors fungal growth
💊 Treatment
Quick Fixes
~14 days
Immediate unpotting
Remove plant from soil immediately. Every minute counts with crown rot.
Rapid rinse
Rinse all soil off under running water. Inspect crown for extent of damage.
Aggressive pruning
Cut away ALL discolored tissue without hesitation. Better to over-prune than leave any infected tissue.
Hydrogen peroxide treatment
Spray or dip crown and roots in 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. This kills pathogens instantly and oxygenates tissue.
Quick dry
Pat dry with paper towels and air dry for 1 hour in front of a fan.
Fast repot
Plant in completely DRY, fresh cactus mix with crown elevated above soil. Do NOT water.
Strict water ban
Absolutely no water for 5-7 days. Place in bright indirect light with good airflow.
Minimal watering protocol
Resume watering only when soil is bone dry. Use half the normal amount.
Materials needed:
Organic Treatment
~21 days
Emergency removal
Immediately remove the plant from its pot. Speed is critical to save any healthy tissue.
Thorough cleaning
Gently wash all soil from roots and crown using lukewarm water. Examine the entire crown area carefully.
Surgical tissue removal
Using sterile scissors, cut away ALL brown, black, or mushy tissue from the crown and roots. Cut back to firm, healthy tissue.
Cinnamon treatment
Generously dust all cut surfaces with cinnamon powder. This acts as a natural fungicide and prevents regrowth.
Chamomile soak
Brew strong chamomile tea (3-4 bags), let cool completely. Soak the crown and roots for 20-30 minutes.
Air drying period
Let the plant air dry in a shaded, well-ventilated area for 3-4 hours. Crown should be completely dry.
Prepare clean container
Sterilize pot with diluted vinegar (1:4 ratio), rinse thoroughly, and dry. Fill with fresh cactus/succulent mix for superior drainage.
Careful replanting
Plant with crown ABOVE soil level. Mix perlite into soil for extra drainage. Ensure no soil touches the crown.
Initial care
Do NOT water for 5-7 days. Place in bright indirect light with excellent air circulation.
Recovery monitoring
Water only when soil is completely dry for next 3 weeks. Apply diluted neem oil monthly as preventive.
Materials needed:
Expert Treatment
~28 days
Diagnostic assessment
Remove plant and evaluate crown damage comprehensively. Document affected area. If >80% of crown is rotted, recovery unlikely.
Pathogen identification
Identify likely pathogen (Phytophthora: water-soaked tissue; Fusarium: dry rot; Rhizoctonia: brown web-like growth).
Precision surgery
Using sterile scalpel or razor, remove all infected tissue with 1cm margin into healthy tissue. Dispose of infected material in sealed bag.
Systemic fungicide drench
Prepare phosphorous acid (Aliette) solution per label. Soak entire crown and root system for 30 minutes.
Complete sterilization
Soak container in 10% bleach solution for 30 minutes. Rinse multiple times and air dry completely.
Biocontrol integration
Mix professional potting mix with 40% perlite + 10% coarse sand. Incorporate Trichoderma harzianum and beneficial Bacillus subtilis.
Strategic replanting
Plant with crown 1-2cm ABOVE soil surface. Create slight mound around stem. Apply mycorrhizal inoculant to root zone.
Initial fungicide application
Water once with copper fungicide or mefenoxam solution. Then withhold water completely for 7 days.
Follow-up protocol
Apply systemic fungicide drench every 14 days for 6 weeks. Alternate between phosphorous acid and propiconazole.
Environmental optimization
Maintain humidity 40-50%, temperature 65-75°F, bright indirect light. Use oscillating fan for constant air movement.
Long-term monitoring
Inspect crown weekly for 3 months. Maintain elevated crown position. Resume normal watering only after vigorous new growth appears.
Step by Step
- 1
Immediately remove plant from wet soil
- 2
Wash away all soil from roots and crown
- 3
Cut away all brown, mushy, or soft tissue
- 4
Disinfect with hydrogen peroxide or fungicide
- 5
Allow crown and roots to air dry for several hours
- 6
Repot in fresh, sterile, well-draining soil mix
- 7
Plant at proper depth with crown exposed
- 8
Do not water for 3-5 days after repotting
- 9
Monitor closely and maintain drier conditions
🧪 Solutions
🌱 Natural Solutions
- ✓ Cinnamon powder as natural antifungal on affected areas
- ✓ Chamomile tea soak for roots and crown
- ✓ Neem oil solution for soil drench
- ✓ Hydrogen peroxide (3%) for oxygenation and disinfection
- ✓ Improve drainage immediately
- ✓ Reduce watering frequency significantly
- ✓ Remove all infected tissue surgically
💉 Chemical Solutions
- ✓ Captan fungicide (follow label instructions)
- ✓ Aliette (fosetyl-aluminum) systemic fungicide
- ✓ Propiconazole for preventive treatment
- ✓ Mefenoxam or metalaxyl for Phytophthora species
- ✓ Thiophanate-methyl for Fusarium species
- ✓ PCNB (pentachloronitrobenzene) for Rhizoctonia
- ✓ Note: Fungicides most effective as preventive, not curative
🛡️ Prevention
- ✓ Ensure excellent drainage with raised beds or well-draining soil
- ✓ Plant at proper depth with crown at or slightly above soil level
- ✓ Water at soil level, avoid wetting the crown
- ✓ Maintain soil pH between 6.0-7.0
- ✓ Provide adequate spacing for air circulation
- ✓ Use sterile potting mix and clean tools
- ✓ Avoid physical damage to plant base
- ✓ Remove and discard infected plants promptly to prevent spread
