dead plant

What you’re seeing

Complete collapse of stems or rosette, leaves brittle or mushy, no new growth for weeks. Stems snap easily or are hollow and dry; roots are either entirely mushy/detached or dry like straw.

What it is

A plant that has fully lost living tissue above and (often) below the soil line. This can follow extended drought, severe overwatering and rot, frost, heat waves, or long-term neglect.

Is action needed?

If no living tissue remains, revival isn’t possible. Focus on confirming the status and salvaging pots, soil-free tools, and any viable cuttings if present.

How to confirm

Scratch test (woody stems): Lightly scrape bark. Green and moist = alive; tan/brown and dry = dead.
Crown/rosette check: Gently pry the central crown. If it detaches with foul smell or is powder-dry and hollow, the growing point is gone.
Root inspection: Healthy roots are firm and white/tan. All roots dark, mushy, or crisp and hollow suggests no recovery.
Wait window: If conditions are good and there’s zero new growth for 6–8 weeks in the growing season, treat as non-viable.

What to do

Stop watering and pruning attempts. Further handling can spread rot and wastes effort.
Unpot and inspect. If you find any firm white tips or green nodes, you can attempt rescue (see below). If none, move to cleanup.
Rescue, if tissue is alive:
Trim to healthy tissue with sterilized shears.
Repot in fresh, well-draining mix.
Water lightly once; then allow partial dry-back.
Provide bright, indirect light and stable warmth (68–77°F / 20–25°C).
If no living tissue:
Dispose of the plant responsibly (trash/compost if disease-free).
Do not reuse old potting mix. Pathogens and salt buildup linger.
Wash pot and tools with soap + hot water; optionally disinfect (1:10 bleach solution, rinse well).
Reflect on the likely cause (see Prevention) to succeed next time.

Prevention tips

Match watering to pot size and mix: small pots dry fast; big pots with dense mix stay wet.
Use drainage holes and fast-draining media for indoor plants.
Keep plants within their light and temperature range; avoid drafts and heat blasts.
Check moisture before watering (finger 2–3 in / 5–7 cm deep or a moisture meter).
Repot yearly or when mix breaks down.

Temporary dormancy (some bulbs, cacti): mark the calendar; many resume growth seasonally.
Severe dieback with a still-living crown or rhizome—do the scratch/root test before giving up.