<p><em>Providencia (P.) rettgeri</em> is a rare facultative anaerobic Gram-negative organism most often isolated from genitourinary and gastrointestinal sources, causing diarrhoea  and urogenital symptoms. The authors present a case of P. rettgeri causing cellulitis in a patient lacking the typical risk factors normally associated with the bacterium. There was limited clinical improvement with empirical antimicrobial therapy. Blood cultures identified <em>P. rettgeri</em> responsive to adjusted Gram-negative therapy. Poor personal hygiene and living in a retirement home may have been potential risk factors for the infection. </p>