Drooping, wilting house plant: causes and what to do
A plant droops when its leaves lose more water than the roots supply. The cause can be dry soil or damaged roots. The fix is very different, so test the soil first.
This is general care advice. Check the label of your plant. Keep toxic plants away from pets and children.
What you need
- Water
- A saucer you can empty
- Clean scissors (for root checks)
Steps
- Push a finger 2 to 3 cm into the soil. Do this before you add any water.
- Dry soil: water slowly until water runs out of the holes. A thirsty plant often stands up again in a few hours.
- Wet soil: do not water. Wilting with wet soil often means the roots are damaged, mostly by too much water.
- Check that water can run out of the pot holes. Empty the saucer. Standing water starves the roots of air.
- Lift the plant out of the pot if the soil stays wet and the plant stays limp. Healthy roots are firm and pale. Rotten roots are soft, dark and smell bad. See the root rot guide.
- Check for heat and cold. A plant in a hot, sunny window or in a cold draft can droop for a short time.
Check your plant
Answer the questions. The guide shows what to do.
Warnings
- Do not water a drooping plant with wet soil. More water makes root damage worse.
- A plant that droops again and again after you water can have root damage.
Questions and answers
Why is my plant drooping after I water it?
The roots may be damaged by too much water. They cannot take up water, so the plant wilts. Check the roots.
Will a drooping plant recover?
A plant with dry soil often recovers in hours after good watering. A plant with root rot needs repotting.
Can a plant droop in cold or heat?
Yes. A cold draft or a hot, sunny window can make leaves droop. Move the plant to a mild place.