Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Check the water level in your container.
- Feel the soil to see if it is damp.
- Smell the water to ensure it is not stagnant.
Likely causes
Dehydration
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves look limp and the soil surface feels dry to the touch.
What to do: Add water to your container until the soil is submerged or thoroughly soaked. Keep the water level at least 1 inch above the soil line to ensure the roots stay hydrated.
Root rot
PossibleHow to tell: This is less common for this plant, as it thrives in water, but it can happen if the water becomes stagnant or foul. The base of the stems may turn mushy or discolored.
What to do: Change the water in your container to refresh the oxygen levels. Trim away any black or slimy roots and ensure the plant has access to fresh, clean water.
Find out what's wrong with your floating sweet-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 plant does not perk up within a few hours of adding water, the root system may be severely damaged. It is normal for the plant to look slightly tired if it has been moved to a new location.
Stopping it coming back
Always keep the soil submerged or consistently wet to prevent the plant from drying out.
Floating sweet-grass: drooping? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your floating sweet-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.
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 the soil dry out between waterings?
- No, this plant requires constant moisture and will droop if the soil dries out even slightly.
- Should I fertilize a drooping plant?
- Avoid fertilizing until the plant has recovered. Adding nutrients to a stressed plant can cause further damage to the roots.
Guides to these causes
More problems with floating sweet-grass
Back to the floating sweet-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.