Why Your Houseplant Soil Smells (and the Fix)
A musty, sour, or earthy-rotten smell from an indoor plant usually means the potting soil is staying too wet, since overwatering leads to root rot and mold in the soil, both of which smell. Let it dry out, fix your watering, and repot if needed, and it clears.
We make small-batch beeswax candles in Far Rockaway, so a room that truly smells clean is our whole focus, and that always starts at the source rather than the scent. Below is where the smell comes from, how to clear it step by step, and how to keep the space fresh afterward, with the full the MBur beeswax candle collection here as you read.
Why houseplant soil smells
Soil that stays soggy has no air, so roots rot, giving a foul, sulfur-like smell, and mold grows on the wet surface, giving a musty one. Poor drainage, a pot with no drainage hole, or a heavy watering hand causes it.
A saucer of standing water keeps the roots wet and the problem going. Drying the soil and fixing the watering is the fix.
How to fix it, step by step
- Stop overwatering. Let the top inch or two of soil dry before watering again, which most houseplants prefer to constant moisture.
- Improve drainage. Make sure the pot has drainage holes and empty the saucer, adding drainage material if needed.
- Remove moldy topsoil. Scrape off and replace the moldy top layer, and letting it dry in bright light helps surface mold.
- Check the roots. If you smell rot, unpot the plant, trim mushy black roots, and repot in fresh, well-draining soil.
- Add airflow and light. Good airflow and appropriate light help the soil dry between waterings.
Watering less is usually the whole fix. Most smelly houseplant soil comes from staying too wet, so letting it dry out between waterings solves it.
Keep it from coming back
Water only when the soil needs it, use pots with drainage, and empty the saucers.
Do not let plants sit in standing water, and give them the light and airflow to dry between waterings.
Freshen the whole room once the source is gone
With the soggy soil handled, the air itself is the last step. A clean candle is the finishing touch here, best lit once the space is already clean. From there it is the fastest way to make the room read fresh rather than merely neutral.
For your home, Retail Therapy fits well. It is juicy and bright, with red currant, peach, and amber, and like every MBur candle it is poured from 100% beeswax with a wooden wick and phthalate-free non-toxic fragrance oils, so freshening the air never means adding soot on top.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my houseplant soil smell bad?
It is staying too wet, causing root rot or mold, both of which smell. Let it dry, improve drainage, and repot if the roots are rotting.
How do I get rid of mold on top of potting soil?
Scrape off and replace the moldy top layer, let the soil dry in bright light, and water less going forward.
How do I know if my plant has root rot?
A foul, rotten smell and mushy, black roots when you unpot it. Trim the bad roots and repot in fresh, well-draining soil.
How do I stop overwatering?
Check that the top inch or two of soil is dry before watering, use pots with drainage holes, and empty the saucer.
Ready to keep your space smelling clean once the source is handled? Explore the MBur beeswax candle collection and find the scent that fits the room.
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