Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Feel the soil to see if it is bone dry.
- Check the base of the stems for mushiness.
- Ensure the plant is not sitting in a drafty area.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The entire plant looks wilted and the soil feels dry and pulls away from the edges of the pot. The leaves may feel thin or brittle.
What to do: Give your plant a thorough soak until water runs out of the drainage holes. Resume your regular schedule of watering every 3 to 7 days.
Root Rot
Most likelyHow to tell: The plant droops even when the soil is wet. The stems may look dark or mushy near the base.
What to do: Remove the plant from its pot and trim away any black or slimy roots. Repot it into fresh, well draining soil and water sparingly until it recovers.
Find out what's wrong with your calico plant
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
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When to worry
It is normal for the plant to droop slightly if it is very hot or dry. Worry if it stays wilted after you water it.
Stopping it coming back
Check your soil moisture every few days to ensure you are watering at the right time.
Calico Plant: drooping? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your calico plant and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Will my plant bounce back after drooping?
- Usually, yes. If it was just thirsty, you should see it perk up within a few hours of watering.
- Does root rot cause drooping?
- Yes, because the damaged roots cannot take up water, the plant wilts as if it were dry.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Calico Plant
- Why is my Calico Plant wilting and showing root rot?
- Why are there bugs on my Calico Plant?
- Why is my Calico Plant getting so leggy?
- Why are my Calico Plant's leaves turning yellow?
- Why are my Calico Plant's leaf tips turning brown?
- Why is my Calico Plant losing its leaves?
- Why are my Calico Plant leaves curling?
Back to the Calico Plant guide
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.