Troubleshooting worksheet
Wilting
Leaves or stems droop, sometimes during only the hottest part of the day.
Look before acting
A visual match narrows questions. It does not prove a diagnosis.
Compare the location, pattern, affected plant parts, recent weather, watering, and changes in care before choosing a response.
Possible causes
Keep the list open at first.
01Dry soil
02Saturated or damaged roots
03Transplant shock
04Heat stress
05Stem or vascular disease
Questions to answer
Look at the whole plant and root zone.
- Does the plant recover in the evening?
- Is the soil dry several inches down?
- Was the plant recently moved?
- Is one stem affected or the entire plant?
Low-risk actions
Change one thing at a time.
- Check the root zone rather than the surface alone.
- Shade new transplants temporarily if heat is extreme.
- Water deeply only when soil conditions support it.
- Isolate and investigate plants that remain wilted in moist soil.
Working checklist