Without taking the plant out of the pot it’s impossible to know for sure, but this looks like signs of either root rot or the plant being too “pot bound.” Sometimes these go hand in hand because when a plant is very pot bound (there are too many roots filling the pot and it’s too crowded) the roots clog the drainage hole so instead of draining as it should the pot retains too much moisture and the roots rot.
Here’s what you need to do to confirm our thinking here: Tip the plant upside down holding your hand around the stem of the plant to support the soil. Remove the pot. If you see a mass of congested roots you’ll know that the plant is indeed too pot bound. If those roots are brown instead of white, you’ll know that root rot is going on. Healthy roots should be white in color.
If you want to save the plant, get a new pot that’s about 2″ larger on all sides and bottom, and transplant the plant into this using new potting soil in the spaces. Do not put any rocks, shards or other debris in the bottom “for drainage” no matter what your neighbor or mother might have told you. 😉 Professional growers know that stuff in the bottom of pots is bad for plants. Be sure the new pot has a drainage hole and that you have a saucer under it to catch excess water. After two weeks in the new pot, use a general fertilizer meant for houseplants according to directions.
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