Check these first
- Touch the soil to see if it is dry an inch down.
- Check the time of day to see if it is just heat stress.
- Feel the stems to see if they are firm or soft.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil feels dry to the touch and the stems look limp or shriveled. The plant usually perks up within a few hours of a good soak.
What to do: Give the plant a thorough watering until water drains from the bottom. Maintain a schedule of watering every 3 to 7 days depending on the heat.
Heat stress
PossibleHow to tell: The plant droops during the hottest part of the day even if the soil is damp. It often recovers once the sun goes down.
What to do: Provide some afternoon shade if the plant is in a very hot spot. Mulch around the base to help keep the roots cool and retain soil moisture.
Find out what's wrong with your broad-leaved willowherb
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
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When to worry
If the plant remains wilted even after you have watered it and the sun has gone down, you may have a root issue. A temporary wilt in the afternoon heat is perfectly normal.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the soil consistently damp and add a layer of organic mulch to keep the root zone cool.
Broad-leaved willowherb: drooping? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your broad-leaved willowherb 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
- How much water does it need?
- The soil should feel like a wrung out sponge. Do not let it dry out completely between waterings.
- Should I mist the leaves?
- No, misting does not help with drooping and can actually encourage fungal spots. Focus on watering the soil.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Broad-leaved willowherb
- Why are there orange spots on my Broad-leaved willowherb?
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- Why is my Epilobium montanum dropping leaves?
- Why is my Epilobium montanum not blooming?
- What are these bugs on my Epilobium montanum?
- Is my Epilobium montanum suffering from root rot?
Back to the Broad-leaved willowherb 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.

