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Symptom

Rotting at the base

Rot at the base usually means roots and stem are sitting wet. Water moulds, fungi and soft-rot bacteria then move in.

Check how wet the soil is and smell it. Slimy and foul is bacterial; dark and soft in soggy compost is root or crown rot.

Likely causes

Ordered from the usual answer to the less likely one. Each links to the full problem.

  1. A plant lifted from its pot with brown, rotting roots Fungal disease Common

    Root rot

    Dark, soft stem base and brown roots in wet soil.
  2. A snake plant with soft, yellowing leaves collapsing in soggy compost Watering Common

    Overwatering

    Succulents and herbs going translucent at the base.
  3. A potato stem blackened and slimy at the base Bacterial disease Possible

    Bacterial soft rot and blackleg

    Black, slimy, smelly stem base, especially on potatoes.
  4. Yellowing plants collapsing in waterlogged soil Watering Possible

    Poor drainage and waterlogging

    Rot after wet weather in heavy soil.
  5. Seedlings collapsed at soil level from damping off Fungal disease Possible

    Damping off

    Seedlings pinched at soil level.