Viruses are normally moved from diseased plants to healthy plants by insects and on human hands. Infected plants are propagated when cuttings are taken from diseases stock plants. The best way to eliminate a virus problem is to discard the entire plant. Lesions may form on the stem, especially near the soil surface, and girdle plants. In other cases, stems and crown may become discolored, soft and mushy.
Diseased roots become brown to black, and slough off easily.
Packages of sterile soil-less mixes may also be purchased. In many cases it may be best to just re-root a healthy portion of the plant root in water or moist sand. The rooted cutting should then be replanted in sterile soil. Plants in the more advanced stages of disease should be completely discarded. Many of the problems associated with houseplants are the result of adverse growing conditions or cultural problems, rather than disease.