Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Touch the top inch of soil to check for dryness.
- Feel the stems to see if they are brittle or soft.
- Observe if the plant perks up after a deep watering.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil feels bone dry and the stems look limp or shriveled.
What to do: Soak the pot thoroughly in a basin of water for 20 minutes until the soil is saturated. Resume your regular schedule of watering every 7 to 14 days when the top inch feels dry.
Heat Stress
Most likelyHow to tell: The plant wilts during the hottest part of the day even if the soil is moist.
What to do: Move the plant to a spot with slightly more afternoon shade if temperatures exceed 90 degrees. Ensure the pot has good airflow to help the plant cool down.
Find out what's wrong with your broom
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 recover within a few hours of watering, the roots may be damaged. It is normal for a plant to droop slightly during extreme heat waves.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy and provide protection from intense afternoon sun during peak summer.
Keep your broom healthy from here
Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.
Questions people ask
- Should I mist my drooping Genista?
- No, misting does not help a thirsty plant. Focus on watering the soil deeply instead.
- Will my Genista recover after drooping?
- Yes, if you catch it early and provide water, the stems usually firm up within a few hours.
More problems with Broom
This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.