Roots & watering
Roots look brown
Root colour is a clue, not a diagnosis. Compare texture and plant performance with a healthy plant before assuming every tan root is rotten.
Check with RhizaFind your next step →Plant doctor · WITH DR. COCO
Are ants in cocopeat containers damaging the crop?
Observe what the ants are doing. Their presence may be associated with other pests or a nesting location rather than direct root damage.
Teral grower guidance · Updated 27 October 2026
Dr. CocoYour plant doctor guideTHE COCOPEAT CONNECTION
Why the root zone matters
Container conditions and nearby food sources can attract insects independently of the coir’s quality.
01 / OBSERVE
Three checks before you change anything
- Inspect stems and leaf undersides for honeydew-producing pests.
- Check whether nesting has displaced medium around roots.
- Trace ant movement between containers and surrounding structures.
02 / NARROW IT DOWN
What accompanies the ants?
Choose the closest observation for a suggested next check.
Sticky leaves or visible sap-feeding pests
Identify and address the associated pest with your adviser rather than focusing only on ant trails.
A nest disturbing the root zone
Seek a crop-appropriate management plan and avoid casually flooding or dosing the container.
Ants passing through only
Monitor activity and inspect the wider site before disturbing healthy plants.
03 / TAKE THE NEXT STEP
Leave with something useful
Record both ant activity and any associated plant symptoms for pest identification.
Keep in mind
Do not assume all insects in cocopeat are root-feeding pests.
Discuss this with Teral →CONNECTED QUESTIONS
