Orchid Roots Are Turning Brown: Causes and Solutions

A few months ago, I noticed a strange thing in my orchid plant. It was a fox-tail orchid. Somehow, I found out that my orchid roots were turning brown. I was sure that something was not going right and I immediately talked to some professionals. And I came to learn a lot that was completely new for me.

However, Orchids with brown roots ain’t a common fact. So, if you notice that your orchid roots are turning brown, it may be a sign of trouble. This issue can be caused by a variety of factors, and it is important to understand why it is happening in order to take the appropriate steps to save your plant.

Otherwise, you might end up losing your beautiful plant. As it’s a dangerous fact, I thought it is essential to share how I dealt with the issue. If you are facing a similar problem, make sure to check out the details below.

 

Problems and Solution: Orchid Roots Are Turning Brown

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The following chart will help you have a quick idea of the problems and reasons your orchid roots are turning brown.

Problem	Solution
Over-watering	Stop Watering daily, Water it twice a week.
Dehydration	Frequently water the plant.
Lower Temperature	Keep it in a warm place or inside your home.
Insects	Try organic pesticides like vinegar.
Unsuitable potting mix	Repot the plant with a fertile potting mix.

 

Possible Causes Behind Orchid Roots Turning Brown?

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The short table is not enough for sure. And you need to learn the fact properly. There are initially, several reasons why orchid roots may turn brown. You need to figure out the exact reason if you want to fix the problem. Here, I have listed the possible reason behind this issue. Check one after another to figure out what is bothering your plant.

1. Over-watering

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Over-watering is the most common cause behind this issue. If you are watering your orchid too frequently or if the roots are sitting in standing water, this can lead to root rot, which will cause the roots to turn brown and mushy.

2. Dehydration

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Next, it can be the cause of dehydration and it happened to my plant. If you are not watering your orchid enough, this can cause the roots to dry out and turn brown.

3. Exposure to Cold Temperatures

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If the roots of your orchid are exposed to cold temperatures, they may turn brown and die. So, if you are living in a cold area, you need to cover the root with fertile soil. Otherwise, the orchid roots can turn brown because of excessive coldness.

4. Pests and Diseases

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Certain pests and diseases can cause the roots of your orchid to turn brown. So, check out if your plant is affected by any type of pest or insects. If yes, you need to use pesticides to save your plant.

5. Poor Potting Mix

If the potting mix you are using is not well-draining or contains materials that are toxic to orchids, this can cause the roots to turn brown. Additionally, the plant pot should have enough holes all around. Otherwise, water will get stacked inside the pot and the roots start to rot.

So, these are the common reasons your Orchid roots can turn born and the entire plant can die within a few weeks. Now, let’s have a look at the solution to this problem.

 

What to Do When My Orchid Roots Turn Brown?

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The short table obviously gives you a hint of the solution. But to treat your plant properly, you should follow some necessary instructions. If your orchid roots are turning brown, here are some steps you can take.

Determine the Cause

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Identify the cause of the problem by checking for over-watering, under-watering, exposure to cold temperatures, pests, diseases, or poor potting mix. Once you will identify the problem, you can easily take the necessary steps against it.

Adjust the Watering Schedule

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If over-watering is the cause, adjust your watering schedule and make sure the pot has proper drainage. If under-watering is the cause, increase the frequency of watering.

Relocate the Plant

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As you know, the roots of your orchid can turn brown due to exposure to cold temperatures. If things are going in a similar way for your plant, you need to move the orchid to a warmer location.

Treat Pests and Diseases

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If you spot any type of pest or disease on your plant, you should hurry to get rid of it. You have to treat the orchid according to the type of pest or disease it has. You can buy essential pesticides for that. But we suggest using organic pesticides like cinnamon, vinegar, etc.

Repot the Plant

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Sometimes, the orchid roots can be turning brown due to a poor potting mix. In this case, you need to repot the orchid in a well-draining mix specifically designed for orchids. You can use Black Kow potting mix or Miracle grow.

By following these tricks, you can save your orchid and keep it healthy for future blooms. One more suggestion: make sure to cut off any brown and mushy roots with sterilized scissors and let the cut areas dry for a day or two before potting the orchid again.

 

How to Identify If An Orchid Root Is Healthy?

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As the roots stay under the plants, it is often difficult to figure out if the roots are not healthy. Not just for becoming brown, you should be concerned when the roots are unhealthy. Here, I have added some tricks that help you to identify an unhealthy Orchid root.

• Healthy orchid roots are typically white or green. If the roots are turning brown or black, it may indicate a problem.
• If the roots are healthy, they should be firm to the touch and not mushy or soft.
• The tips of healthy roots should be white and slightly translucent.
• Healthy orchid roots should have small, white root hairs that help absorb water and nutrients.
• Also, a steady orchid should have new roots growing and old roots that are still functional.
• Besides, the orchid roots should not have an offensive odor. If they smell sour or rotten, this may indicate root rot.

By inspecting the color, firmness, root tips, root hairs, root growth, and root smell of your orchid roots, you can determine if they are healthy and take appropriate action if needed.

 

What to Do to Keep Orchid Roots Healthy?

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At this point, you must be thinking about what to do when your orchid roots are not healthy, right? Here are some steps you can take to keep your orchid roots healthy.

• Proper Watering: Water your orchid regularly, but do not over-water it. The potting mix should be allowed to dry out slightly between waterings.
• Good Potting Mix: Use a well-draining potting mix specifically designed for orchids.
• Proper Light: Provide bright, indirect light for your orchid. Avoid direct sun, which can cause root damage.
• Proper Temperature: Keep the temperature around your orchid between 60-85°F (15-30°C) to prevent damage to the roots.
• Proper Humidity: Maintain a high level of humidity for your orchid, as they are tropical plants.
• Pest Control: Regularly check for pests and treat them promptly if detected to prevent damage to the roots.
• Fertilizer: Make sure to fertilize your orchid regularly with a balanced fertilizer specifically designed for orchids.

By following these steps, you can provide the ideal conditions for your orchid and keep its roots healthy. This will help ensure long-lasting blooms and a healthy plant.

 

FAQ

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Q: What causes orchid roots to turn brown?

A: The most common causes of orchid roots turning brown are over-watering, under-watering, exposure to cold temperatures, pests, and diseases, or poor potting mix.

Q: How can I tell if my orchid roots are healthy?

A: Healthy orchid roots are typically white or green, firm to the touch, have white tips, have root hairs, have new roots growing, and have no offensive odor.

Q: What should I do if my orchid roots are turning brown?

A: If your orchid roots are turning brown, adjust your watering schedule, move the orchid to a warmer location if necessary, treat pests or diseases, repot the orchid in a well-draining mix, and remove any dead roots.

Q: How can I prevent my orchid roots from turning brown?

A: To prevent orchid roots from turning brown, provide regular watering, use a well-draining potting mix, provide bright, indirect light, maintain a temperature between 65-85°F, maintain high humidity, check for and treat pests promptly, and fertilize regularly with a balanced fertilizer specifically designed for orchids.

According to the Petal Republic, the suitable temperature for orchids is 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit in the daytime and  65 to 75 degrees at night time.

Q: What is the difference between brown and black roots in orchids?

A: Brown roots may indicate over-watering or exposure to cold temperatures, while black roots often indicate root rot, which can be caused by over-watering or poor potting mix. Both brown and black roots can indicate a problem and should be addressed promptly.

 

End Call

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Always remembers that brown orchid roots can be a sign of several issues. It can be the cause of over-watering, under-watering, exposure to cold temperatures, pests and diseases, and poor potting mix. To save your orchid, it is important to identify the cause of the problem and take appropriate action.

So, make sure to take a good look over the orchid and check if the orchid roots are turning brown or any unusual color. Hopefully, this article will help you take care of your beautiful orchid. If you have any suggestions for the same problem, make sure to share them with us. Thank you.