How Should Roots Look?
Healthy roots look like noodles, and the ideal coloring you want to see is white or green. When plants are overwatered, or have been in a pot for far too long, then roots start to suffocate and die, turning dark, smelly and mushy. Under watering also kills roots by drying them out and making them feel rubbery, brown and brittle.
Does this Look Normal?
Here are common growth types of indoor plant roots to help understand what normal looks like:
Aerial – Roots develop above the surface of the soil. Aerial roots help some plants to climb, provide support, or absorb moisture from the air. They should not be removed.
Bulbous – The primary storage system of the plant where growth emerges from.
Tuberous – A root that has swelled into a nutrient and water storage organ for a plant. Seeing a few rise to the surface of the soil should not raise any concern. However, if many tubers are highly visible above the soil line, then it may be time for a new pot.
Rhizome – Fleshy stems that grow horizontally, or at or just below the soil level and resembles a tuber.
Common Plants & Their Roots
Here are 5 plants that we commonly get questions on regarding their roots. This is what you want to see in these plants:
1. Orchids – Aerial roots reaching out into the air. Roots are firm to the touch, and white to green in color.
2. ZZ Plants – Rhizome, bulbous-like roots are thick, white and firm.
3. Cacti – Thin delicate roots are whitish or gray.
4. Philodendrons such as Monstera grow aerial roots ranging in color from green, white and possibly brown. Older roots get darker in color. Their ariel roots can grow long, and are an indication that the plant is happy.
5. Spider Plants or Calathea grow thick tuberous roots spreading in all directions. They should feel firm and springy. Root color varies from white to brown; older roots being darker.
In-store Potting Service
Have a houseplant that’s 20 years old, and is long overdue to be repotted in a bigger container?
Have your own pot from home, and would like help with getting your newly purchased plant potted into it?
Whether it’s an indoor or outdoor plant, we can do the dirty work for you and help plant your plants into their container homes.
Potting fees are based on pot size.
4” pot – $2.00
6” pot – $3.00
8” pot – $4.00
10” pot – $5.00
12” pot – $6.00
13” pot and larger is $1.00 per gallon of soil
All planting charges listed include soil and labor.
Spring and Fall Planting Days
Twice a year we offer free potting services to all customers who purchase plants during our Planting Days weekend. Sign up for our newsletter so you will know when the next Planting Days weekend is happening!
During these events we encourage you to bring in your own containers, 14 inch or smaller, and we will pot your purchased plants using a premium organic potting soil at no extra charge.
