--- title: "Succulent issues… what’s going on? I initially thought the stem was…" description: "Succulent issues… what’s going on? I initially thought the stem was rotting but diagnosis on another app I have says it’s doing well? Also it’s not mushy at…" url: "https://getplanta.com/community/vOLjreBcQ-OpqrHIhVSc4w/slyDYkr9Qcyic-GtR1HLgA" community: "The Cactus & Succulent Circle" author: "Kayde" published: "2024-08-24T18:05:56.150706Z" language: "en" image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/7tyJU5DDvRLWCO1ACvmGGopgHB7FXYENM8FPFt5yiy0/wdBo2ZE7SmejBOz1R2WKtw.webp?size=large" --- [Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [The Cactus \& Succulent Circle](https://getplanta.com/community/vOLjreBcQ-OpqrHIhVSc4w.md) # Succulent issues… what’s going on? I initially thought the stem was… _Posted by Kayde on 2024-08-24_ Succulent issues… what’s going on? I initially thought the stem was rotting but diagnosis on another app I have says it’s doing well? Also it’s not mushy at all, it’s quite hard instead? Does that mean it’s not rotting? Or is it stem rot and if so, what do I do?😅 It seems to be growing perfectly fine, more than usual tbh so I’m unsure on what to do about it? ![Attachment 1 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/7tyJU5DDvRLWCO1ACvmGGopgHB7FXYENM8FPFt5yiy0/wdBo2ZE7SmejBOz1R2WKtw.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 2 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/7tyJU5DDvRLWCO1ACvmGGopgHB7FXYENM8FPFt5yiy0/DHGZ2__-TTaXli_FSkAKVg.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 3 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/7tyJU5DDvRLWCO1ACvmGGopgHB7FXYENM8FPFt5yiy0/8lnyWiMlTBuC2KeGcEqbYg.webp?size=large) ## 9 comments ### max commented on 2024-08-24 hmmmm, i’m not sure about the coloring, esp since the leaves look fine. it does look a bit elongated though, so maybe more sun if you can? #### Kayde replied on 2024-08-24 That’s what’s confusing me too cos it’s growing new leaves from the very bottom where the stems basically black so surely it’s not rotting? And it’s in the sunniest windowsill I have rn so more sun is impossible😩 #### max replied on 2024-08-24 maybe it’s sun stress? “too much” sun? from what i’ve seen on my plants it can change the color but also stimulates growth. although ive seen changing of the colors on both the leaves and the stems, not just one ### Allison commented on 2024-08-25 Are you referring to the redness at the base? If so its called “corking” and happens ass succulents age, its what makes jade plants turn “woody”. At least that what it looks like to me, my jade plant did the same thing at only a year old ( a sign of good rapid growth!) and it looked identical to this. #### Kayde replied on 2024-08-25 I was hoping this was the case! But it’s still very small.. I’ve only had it about 3-4 months and it’s only about 4 inch tall so I didn’t think it would cork just yet… hoping it is this tho as the stem just keeps going brown further and further up but the leaves aren’t being affected.. #### Allison replied on 2024-08-25 Considering you said it was growing faster than normal, and the stem is hard, I do think it’s corking. Plants corking when they are younger is usually just a sign of a happy plant! ### Ji11 commented on 2024-08-25 Looks fine, if worried about rot you can treat with neem oil. I’d say if anything hold off on the watering for a bit. The leaves are extra plump and not drying out between watering could be causing the stem to retain water. #### Kayde replied on 2024-08-25 I only water once every 2wks and I make sure the soils bone dry all the way through (which usually happens after a few days tbh) but I’ll leave it until it starts to shrivel now to water it again ### Adrian commented on 2024-08-25 It just looks a little calloused. That’s pretty normal with succulents. Sometimes they callous or form a “bark” around the stem to strengthen it, and other times it’s an injury (such as being pressed against a window or surface, or being dropped, or crammed next to another plant before buying) or bit of sunburn. Be careful not to wipe off the natural powdery “film” on the leaves, as that acts as the plant’s natural sunscreen and cannot regenerate once removed. Definitely not root rot. Hope this helps! --- _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_