How to Use root rot in a Sentence

root rot

noun
  • To avoid root rot or soil gnats, the planters should have drainage holes.
    — The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025
  • If the plant seems lose in the soil, root rot might have happened.
    — oregonlive, 29 Nov. 2019
  • That can cause root rot, and no one wants that for their plants.
    — Claire Reid, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2021
  • The soil must be very well-drained to prevent root rot.
    — oregonlive, 8 Aug. 2021
  • This year was bad for the take all root rot (TARR) fungus.
    — Neil Sperry, star-telegram, 13 June 2018
  • The bottoms of the pots should be above the water level to avoid root rot.
    — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Nov. 2021
  • Confirm root rot by pulling the plant out of the pot and inspecting the roots.
    — Betty Cahill, The Denver Post, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Take all root rot shows up in all kinds of lighting: sun and shade alike.
    — Neil Sperry, ExpressNews.com, 21 June 2019
  • On the other hand, overly wet soil can lead to root rot.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2024
  • Too much water can cause root rot when the plant is not growing.
    — Tom MacCubbin, orlandosentinel.com, 19 Dec. 2020
  • Putting it in a pot that’s too big isn’t healthy because the soil won’t dry out fast enough, which can lead to root rot.
    — Arricca Elin Sansone, Country Living, 15 Mar. 2021
  • And resist the urge to place a saucer beneath a pot; doing so will lead to wet soil and root rot.
    — Washington Post, 17 May 2021
  • Also, with new soil, the plants may stay too wet which can cause root rot and decline.
    — Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Oct. 2022
  • If allowed to sit in water, this plant could get root rot.
    — Savanna Bous, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Sep. 2022
  • Mulch to conserve moisture, but add a ring of builder's sand around the crown to prevent root rot.
    — Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 30 June 2023
  • Brown, slimy, or overly soft roots are a sign of a plant disease such as root rot.
    — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2024
  • This keeps the plant roots wet longer and can lead to the formation of fungal diseases and root rot.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 24 Jan. 2025
  • The caddy stays dry and the plant can be watered without worry of root rot.
    — Clare Miers, star-telegram, 5 Apr. 2018
  • If your plant’s roots or stems are mushy and smelly, your plant may be affected by root rot.
    — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Dec. 2024
  • If the plant is overwatered or planted too deep, root rot can set in.
    — oregonlive, 1 Aug. 2020
  • Plant it in loose, well-draining soil to avoid root rot, and keep an eye out for fungal diseases and pests.
    — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Water them too much, and the leaves will drop and root rot can potentially set in.
    — Tamara Gane, Southern Living, 7 May 2021
  • Soggy soil or standing water can mean the plant dies from root rot.
    — oregonlive, 9 Jan. 2022
  • To avoid root rot, be careful not to overwater the plant.
    — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Crown and root rots are easily avoided through proper plant siting to ensure adequate soil drainage.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Overwatering may also cause root rot, so be sure to feel the soil for dryness before watering.
    — Nashia Baker, Martha Stewart, 31 Mar. 2026
  • The poor folks at the bottom of the tree often ended up with communication root rot.
    — Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Water every two to three days for the first few weeks to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged to avoid root rot.
    — Charlie Vargas, Oc Register, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Possible diseases include powdery mildew, blight, crown rot, leaf gall, root rot, leaf spot, and rust.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Avoid overwatering or having pots sit in water as that can lead to root rots.
    — Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'root rot.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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