They should be white and firm if they are healthy. How to Identify Root Rot . Despite the name, "root rot," gardeners usually spot signs of the disease in the plant's … Root Rot is a disease that attacks the plants roots when the soil the plant is in is staying too wet for a long period of time. Lift the plant up to look at the roots. As the disease is spread through the soil, it can sometimes be hard to fight and often the plant … Root rot is a condition that, if left untreated, will kill plants. Healthy roots = a healthy houseplant. Most plants are susceptible to root rots, including both woody … Overwatering is the number one cause of root rot in houseplants and sadly, root rot is a condition that, if left untreated, will kill your houseplants. The reason that root rot is so hard to detect in a timely manner is that it is developing underground, out of sight. Fixing Root Rot in Indoor Plants 1. Root rot is a general term that describes any disease where the pathogen (causal organism) causes the deterioration of a plant’s root system. … Grab the plant at the base and pull it gently out of the pot. Gently brush away the dirt so you can look at the roots. When plants start showing symptoms of root rot… Because the first symptoms of root rot occur beneath the soil, gardeners are often not aware of the problem until it is advanced.