Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Check the soil moisture immediately.
- Feel the leaves to see if they are crisp or soft.
- Observe if the plant recovers after a thorough watering.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The stems look limp and the soil is completely dry or pulling away from the edges of the pot.
What to do: Give the plant a deep soak immediately. Ensure the soil stays damp by checking it every 2 days.
Heat stress
PossibleHow to tell: The plant droops during the hottest part of the afternoon but perks up by evening.
What to do: Provide some afternoon shade if the heat is extreme. Ensure the soil remains moist to help the plant cope with high temperatures.
Find out what's wrong with your greater bird's-foot-trefoil
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 even after you water it, the roots may be damaged. This is a sign of a more serious issue like root rot.
Stopping it coming back
Never let the soil dry out completely between waterings.
Greater bird's-foot-trefoil: drooping? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your greater bird's-foot-trefoil 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?
- It needs enough water to keep the soil damp at all times. In hot weather, you might need to water it daily.
- Is it normal for it to droop at night?
- No, this plant should remain upright. If it droops at night, it is definitely not getting enough water.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Greater bird's-foot-trefoil
- Why are my Greater bird's-foot-trefoil leaves turning yellow?
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- Why is my Greater bird's-foot-trefoil growing so leggy?
- Why are my Greater bird's-foot-trefoil tips turning brown?
- Why is my Greater bird's-foot-trefoil dropping leaves?
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- Why is my Lotus pedunculatus not blooming?
- Why are my Lotus pedunculatus leaves curling?
Back to the Greater bird's-foot-trefoil 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.