Why Is My Plant Drooping? and Solutions on How to Save Your Wilting Plant

Lifeless drooping leaves signify your plants are slowly dying.

If you are a plant lover, I am sure you would hate to see your green plants withering away.

It is, indeed, disheartening to see droopy leaves on your beloved plants that you so lovingly bring home.

So, why is my plant drooping? There are plenty of reasons for indoor houseplant wilting.

For instance, it could be that you’re:

• overwatering them (or even underwatering),
• the pot could be too small,
• you are not giving your plant nutrients (in other words, more fertilizer),
• your plant could need more sunlight (or it’s getting too much sunlight), and
• finally, droopy leaves could indicate an insect or pest infestation or disease.

To find the solution to droopy plant leaves, you first need to identify what causing your plant to have droopy or wilting leaves.

Why is my Plant Suddenly Drooping?

Like any other living being, plants need three things to grow: sun, water, and air. An imbalance of any of these factors can make your plant wilt or droop.

As mentioned above, wilting leaves could be a sign of a lot of problems.

Let’s explore each to evaluate what you might be doing wrong.

Water Problem – Too Much Water or Not Enough?

Some require more water, while other plants require comparatively less. Underwatering and overwatering are the crucial reasons for bad plant health.

Related post: How Often Should You Water Houseplants?

Too much water can cause the roots to decay, while not getting enough water can lead to dry soil and loss of moisture content.

Therefore, when you bring a plant home, you must learn about its water requirements. Too much water in the soil reduces the air pockets.

As a result, the roots cannot draw oxygen, leading to root rot.

When you water the plant according to its need, you inevitably grow healthier plants. The general rule of the thumb is that thin leaves need extra water.

Similarly, thick and waxy leaves retain water easily and require less watering.

Plants outside the home exposed to high heat will need frequent watering, while indoor ones are in favorable temperatures and need less watering.

In hot conditions, the same plant might need a little more water to survive.

Moreover, avoid overwatering when it’s not growing season. Fortunately, wilting caused by under or excess water can be solved quickly.

Let the soil dry in between waterings to prevent wilting. If you suspect root rot( mushy stinky roots), use horticulture hydrogen peroxide to revive them.

Our easy solution is to get yourself some self-watering spikes. With these watering spikes, you don’t have to worry about whether you are watering too much or not enough.

Is Your Plant Getting Too Much Sunlight?

Another vital element for healthy plants is sunlight. Some require direct sunlight exposure, while others are happy with low indirect light.

If you place a shade-loving plant under the full sun or a sunlight-loving plant indoors, you will face leaf and stems wilting.

The solution is simple. If you see brown or yellow spots on your plant’s leaves or if your leaves are burnt and losing color, place them in the shade for a few days.

If your plant revives, you can let it stay there. Else, look for other signs of damage.

Is Your Plant to Big Where There is Insufficient Space in the Pot?

Some plants grow faster than others. If your plant does not get enough space to grow, it will lead to wilting.

An excellent way to know if your plants need a bigger pot is to check their roots.

Check if your plant is root-bound (tangled and messy). A simple solution is to transfer the plant to a larger container, so the roots can grow properly and get enough nutrients.

If you need a new pot, we suggest you get a self-watering pot to ensure that you are not overwatering your houseplants. We really like this self-watering and well-draining pot. We actually have a couple of these in our home.

Maybe Your Plant Has too Much Dust on its Leaves?

A plant with dusty leaves not only brings down its aesthetic appeal; it also leads to less light absorption and disrupting photosynthesis.

Plants also fail to regulate their moisture content that may lead to decreased or increased transpiration.

Increased transpiration can be highly damaging for the plants. If water loss exceeds water intake, it can result in dehydration and ultimately wilting.

To avoid water loss, wipe the top and bottom surface of the leaves regularly with a wet cloth.

Droopy Leaves Caused By Insects or Diseases?

Pests and diseases are a nuisance to plant health. The quicker you identify them, the easier it is to treat them. Pests feed on your plant’s food and water.

The leaves droop due to a drop in internal water pressure, which makes the stems stay straight.

According to Clemson University, there are many types of plant diseases and various cures to each plant disease.

Beware of common insects like mealy bugs, aphids, brown scales, spider mites or whitefly.

They may look small, but these sap-sucking insects can quickly lead to plant wilting.

Begin by inspecting the whole plant and pick off infected leaves and destroy them.

Using insecticidal soap may help kill them, or you could try flushing them out using a solid stream of water.

Make sure that you always sterilize your gardening tools with rubbing alcohol. Unfortunately, some bacterial diseases are not in our control, like Fusarium Wilt, which can cause sudden wilting.

No Drainage of Water in the Pot

If your planter does not have proper drainage holes at the bottom of the pot, it can quickly lead to stem and root death.

Poor drainage will compact the clay, so roots may be unable to absorb necessary nutrition.

To prevent this, check the drainage holes at the bottom for blockage and drain excess water if you see that the earth is excessively wet.

A solution to this is to line your pot with some pebbles or other well-draining potting medium. We suggest this pebble rock for plants.

If the plant is severely damaged, you may need to replant it in fresh soil.

First, remove it from its pot and carefully remove the root ball from the extra soil. Cut off damaged roots.

Next, soak the roots for one hour into a solution of 1 oz. hydrogen peroxide and 1-quart water. Healthy roots make leaves dark green in color and also make the stem upright.

Temperature is too Low for Your Plant?

Lower temperatures can lead to frostbites, and higher temperatures can lead to excessive moisture loss. Both these conditions contribute to houseplant wilting.

To prevent this, cover plants in winter with burlap. In summer, water your plants more frequently, so the soil doesn’t dry out due to excessive heat.

Will Droopy Leaves Recover?

If you act quickly, you can save your greenery from dying out. However, the saying ” Prevention is better than cure” applies aptly here.

To avoid droopy lifeless leaves, make sure you research each plant well before bringing it home.

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