Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Feel the soil to see if it is bone dry or soaking wet.
- Check the drainage holes to ensure water is not trapped.
- Look at the color of the stems near the soil line.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil feels dry to the touch and the leaves look limp and dull. The plant perks up quickly after a good drink.
What to do: Water the plant thoroughly until water drains from the bottom. Maintain a schedule of watering every 7 to 14 days.
Root Rot
PossibleHow to tell: The leaves droop even when the soil is wet. The stems near the base may look mushy or discolored.
What to do: Check the roots for mushy or black sections. Repot the plant into fresh, well draining soil and trim away any damaged roots.
Find out what's wrong with your ground ivy
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 stays droopy after you water it, you likely have a root issue. If it recovers within a few hours of watering, it was just thirsty.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. Always use a pot with drainage holes.
Ground Ivy: drooping? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your ground ivy 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
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Questions people ask
- How do I know if the soil is too wet?
- Stick your finger an inch into the soil. If it feels like a damp sponge, it is perfect, but if it feels like mud, it is too wet.
- Can I save a plant with root rot?
- Yes, if you catch it early. Remove the plant, wash the roots, trim the rot, and repot in dry, fresh soil.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Ground Ivy
- Why does my ground ivy have spots on its leaves?
- Why is my ground ivy looking so leggy?
- Why are my Ground Ivy leaves turning yellow?
- How do I fix root rot in my Ground Ivy?
- Why are my Ground Ivy leaf tips turning brown?
- Why is my ground ivy losing its leaves?
- What are these bugs on my ground ivy?
- Why are my ground ivy leaves curling up?
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.