Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Check if the soil is bone dry.
- Observe the direction the grass is leaning.
- Feel the texture of the blades for crispness.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The blades look limp and feel dry or brittle to the touch. The soil will feel completely dry well below the top inch.
What to do: Water the plant thoroughly until moisture runs out of the drainage holes. If the soil has pulled away from the edges of the pot, soak the entire root ball in a basin of water for 15 minutes. Resume your normal watering schedule of every 3 to 7 days.
Insufficient Light
PossibleHow to tell: The grass looks stretched out and leans heavily toward the nearest light source. The blades may appear thinner and weaker than usual.
What to do: Move the plant to a location that receives bright, indirect light or partial sun. If growing indoors, place it near a window that gets several hours of morning sun. Gradually introduce it to more light to avoid scorching the foliage.
Find out what's wrong with your wavy hair-grass
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
If the grass remains limp even after a thorough watering, the roots may be damaged. It is normal for the grass to look slightly less upright during the heat of the day.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy and ensure the plant gets enough light to stay sturdy.
Wavy hair-grass: drooping? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your wavy hair-grass 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.
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Questions people ask
- Can heat cause drooping?
- Yes, extreme heat can cause the grass to lose moisture faster than it can take it up. Move it to a cooler spot during heatwaves.
- Will it recover after watering?
- Most of the time, yes. You should see the blades perk up within a few hours of a good soak.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Wavy hair-grass
Back to the Wavy hair-grass 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.