Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Touch the soil to see if it is dry.
- Check if the pot is sitting in a tray of water.
- Smell the soil to ensure it is not rotting.
Likely causes
Dehydration
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil feels dry to the touch and the stems lose their upright posture.
What to do: Water the plant thoroughly until the soil is saturated. Keep the pot sitting in a shallow tray of water to maintain constant moisture.
Root rot
PossibleHow to tell: This is less common for this plant, usually caused by stagnant water that has become anaerobic or foul smelling. The base of the stems may look mushy or discolored.
What to do: Trim away any black or slimy roots with clean scissors. Repot the plant into fresh, peat based soil and ensure the water in the tray is refreshed every few days.
Find out what's wrong with your hare's tail cottongrass
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 plant does not perk up within 24 hours of being watered, the root system may be severely damaged.
Stopping it coming back
Never let the soil dry out completely, as this plant thrives in consistently wet conditions.
Hare's tail cottongrass: drooping? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your hare's tail cottongrass 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
- Can I let it dry out between waterings?
- No, this plant is a bog species and needs constant moisture to stay upright.
- Should I mist the leaves?
- Misting does not help with drooping. Focus on keeping the roots wet instead.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Hare's tail cottongrass
Back to the Hare's tail cottongrass 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.