---
title: "I got this Chinese evergreen in the mail this past Monday. The roots…"
description: "I got this Chinese evergreen in the mail this past Monday. The roots were wrapped in a wet paper towel, and some of them had gone black and mushy. Since then,…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/HbPTTa7LHoMCmk0LjIb0oB"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "Sarah"
published: "2025-10-12T19:23:30.705007Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/odTtITzd12TE_Sno-JSrhAYCsWW8kw-iwhAmaXwChUw/x-RoVVftQwGUM3PEbxtVHg.webp?size=large"
---

[Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Pests, diseases and problems](https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ.md)

# I got this Chinese evergreen in the mail this past Monday. The roots…

_Posted by Sarah on 2025-10-12_

I got this Chinese evergreen in the mail this past Monday. The roots were wrapped in a wet paper towel, and some of them had gone black and mushy. Since then, I trimmed the bad roots and one of the very yellowing leaves, but a couple others are now starting to yellow. I also put the plant in a soil mixture with perlite and orchid bark. Is there any saving her?

![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/odTtITzd12TE_Sno-JSrhAYCsWW8kw-iwhAmaXwChUw/x-RoVVftQwGUM3PEbxtVHg.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/odTtITzd12TE_Sno-JSrhAYCsWW8kw-iwhAmaXwChUw/8VhFoMz8TN-j2OMCD9-mnA.webp?size=large)

## 2 comments

### Sunny commented on 2025-10-12

You should disinfect the roots with hydrogen peroxide to kill bacteria caused by the rot. Disinfectant cutting tools, hands and pots too.

Transplant, travel and new environment puts stress on the plants. Root rot adds to it. Several leaves can die off while the plant recovers. Give it a chance to rest about a month without a repot or location changes. 🪴🍀

### Snail Diva commented on 2025-10-13

Yes there is saving it. Cut back a bit on watering since you trimmed the roots otherwise there are chances of reintroducing root rot.  
I saved mine with less root than this and it came with root rot as well. (Had half a decent root, i didn’t know but it was a cutting)  
Especially that yours is pushing a new leaf, it is taxing without a proper root system so as long as not everything is yellow, there is something to save ☺️

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/7KRlFPsb0xIHig8voxMjXrOpva9bSmXSp8FVs34Orpg/tb6BrgVtQkadPBpYWdv49A.webp?size=large)

---

_Source: the Planta community (https://getplanta.com). Reading is open to everyone. To post, comment and like, get the Planta app: https://getplanta.com/download_
